Gardaí in Donegal are calling on parents to never allow their children to put themselves in danger on quads until they are of the legal age.
The appeal follows several worrying incidents in the Carndonagh area.
Recently, five youths on quads tore up the green area outside the Carndonagh Public Services Centre. The incident was reported on Wednesday the 2nd of July at 10.30pm.
Garda spokesperson Niall Maguire, in a community appeal today, asked parents to beware of the serious risks of quads.
“This is only one of a number of similar type incidents that have occurred in recent times in the Carndonagh area,” he said.
He continued: “Quads are powerful machines that have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone. I
“If used on a public road, they are subject to the same rules that apply to other mechanically propelled vehicles. They 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.”
Quads are not a toy, Gda Maguire said, adding that many of the reports made to gardaí involve quads being driven in an erratic and dangerous manner.
“The drivers or owners are not covered by insurance and many of the drivers are too young to have a driving licence not to mention drive,” he added.
“Our appeal this morning is particularly aimed at parents. A number of fatalities involving children on quads have occurred in recent years and many children sustain horrific injuries as a result of quads each year. 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.
“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.”
