A ROW is revving up after it emerged not a single prosecution has been brought against the illegal modification of e-scooters.
New regulations introduced last year limit the maximum speed of e-scooters to 20kph.
But despite the regs being rolled out over a year ago, new figures show not a single punter has been nailed for souping up the machines.
TD Barry Ward, a regular e-scooter user, has called for an urgent crackdown on the illegal modification of e-scooters.
The Fine Gael rep raised concerns about the lack of prosecutions in relation to the illegal modification of e-scooters with the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
And a response to a parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Ward outlined how no cases involving the illegal modification of electric scooters had been brought before the courts to date.
Ward rapped: “This is despite legislation being passed to regulate the use of e-scooters in May 2024.
“Regulations clearly state it is not permitted to modify the device in any way including to increase its’ speed or acceleration capabilities.
“The speed limit for e-scooters is set at 20kph.
“Anybody who has spent time walking in their local area or Dublin city centre will have seen countless examples of the use of e-scooters and e-bikes in an anti-social and dangerous way, many of which have been modified to be used at greater speeds.”
GREATER ENFORCEMENT
The Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD has called for greater enforcement to clampdown on e-scooter speeding.
Ward said: “The answer I received from the Minister shows clearly that enforcement in this area has not caught up to the regulations and I have called on the Minister to urgently push for a greater focus on preventing the use of modified electric scooters in an antisocial way.
“The modification of electric scooters is not only dangerous for the operator, but it also increases the potential risk of losing control, putting pedestrians and other road users in unnecessary danger.
“The speed limit for these vehicles is limited to 20 km/hour for a reason and when there are clear and obvious situations whereby people are operating scooters at speeds far in excess of this, the Guards need to intervene.
“If it is proven that the device has been modified, this needs to be prosecuted.
“As someone who uses an e-scooter, I absolutely appreciate how useful they can be as a means to getting around, but it is so important that they are used in a courteous and safe way.”
NEW DEVICE
Gardai in Limerick recently deployed a new device to test e-scooter speeds at road stops.
Dynamometers, which look like mini treadmills, allow cops to assess whether electric scooters comply with legal speed limits.
In May, the Limerick Divisional Roads Policing Unit carried out a series of checkpoints armed with the new kit.
It was part of a pilot scheme by An Garda Siochana to test the speed of scooters to try and prevent the use of overpowered or modified scooters that risk the lives of those using them and other road users.
Gardai currently own four dynamometers – but top cops plan on purchasing “a lot more” e-scooter and e-bike testing kits.
