Donegal motorist’s near-miss with child on e-scooter sparks warning

An Inishowen motorist has issued a heartfelt appeal to parents following a near-miss involving a child on an e-scooter late last Tuesday night, April 7th.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 pm in Muff, when the driver was indicating to turn across the road on Muff Main Street. According to the motorist, an e-scooter suddenly “appeared from nowhere,” travelling at high speed and without any visible lights.

The driver was forced to take evasive action, returning to the white line to avoid a collision. Fortunately, traffic was light at the time, and no one was injured.

The rider, believed to be very young, was reportedly not wearing a helmet and was dressed in dark clothing, making them difficult to see. After passing behind the vehicle, the e-scooter continued towards the Wheatfield area.

Sharing the experience as a warning, the motorist urged parents to take greater precautions.

“Please ensure your children are wearing helmets and have proper lighting if they are using e-scooters,” they said. “Better still, keep them off the roads after dark to keep them safe.”

The incident highlights growing concerns about e-scooter safety, particularly among young riders and in low-visibility nighttime conditions.

As of 20 May 2024, e-scooters are legal on Irish public roads for users 16 and over, but were banned from footpaths and motorways.

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Meanwhile, the Government is planning to make it mandatory for users of e-bikes and e-scooters to wear helmets and high-visibility clothing. 

No timeline for the introduction of the regulations is yet in place, with the details still to be finalised by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien. 

Currently, users of standard e-scooters don't need to wear a helmet or high-visibility clothing, but it is strongly recommended by the Road Safety Authority.