Gardaí have issued safety warnings after an increase in reports of quads being driven by youths and children on the public roads around the west Donegal.
In recent months, gardaí have received reports of quads being driven in an erratic and dangerous manner by youths.
In an appeal to parents, gardaí pointed out the fatalities and horrific injuries caused by quad accidents in recent years.
“Do not under any circumstances allow your children to use a quad unless they are the legal age to do so and they use it in the correct manner, safely and in accordance with the law. We do not want a tragedy on the roads,” said Garda spokesperson Sean Sweeney in a community appeal today.
“We urge parents to help us prevent that from happening as one thing is certain, the clock cannot be turned back should the unthinkable happen.”
If used on a public road, quads must be registered, taxed, roadworthy and they must comply with standard road regulations. The driver must hold the relevant driving licence and be fully insured to drive the vehicle. You must be 16 to drive a light quad of 350kg or less with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h. To drive a heavier quad, you must be at least 17 years old.
Garda Sweeney said: “Quads are not a toy and they were not designed for young people to play around with. They were designed to be driven off-road, for example on a farm and not by children. This type of behaviour on the roads is reckless and it poses a threat to the safety of other road users and to the safety of the youths themselves.”
