The scourge of E scooters on pedestrian footpaths around Navan and other towns must be stamped out before somebody is seriously injured or worse. That’s according to Aontú Cllr Emer Tóibín who says many users of E scooters are ‘breaking the law with impunity and it’s incredibly frustrating” .
She says. “We have to remember that the use of E scooters on footpaths is illegal, but you certainly wouldn’t think it by the attitude of some of these cavalier users. They are flouting the law with complete abandon”. “I am an avid walker and I have had several scares myself with speeding E Scooters . It does shake you up and it’s really terrifying for elderly people, and those who have any impaired mobility which is totally and utterly unacceptable.
To be honest though everybody is at risk as these things are heavy and the speed at which some people are going at would means serious injury for anybody hit by them. If some poor unfortunate is unlucky enough to be struck by a speeding e scooter, he or she has scant hope or chance of redress as those using e scooters are not obliged to have insurance.
If the person is self-employed the knock on consequences can be disastrous for them and their finances. Footpaths and pedestrian pathways are for pedestrians not for speeding E scooters.
While Gardai have powers to seize e-scooters and take action against those operating them in inappropriate places, laws are worth little if they’re not enforced and I am calling for them to be enforced before some poor unsuspecting pedestrian is badly hurt.” There has to be stricter enforcement of the law, more action must be taken to stamp this out. The safety of our communities must come first”.
