Durkan: MLAs must vote to give police powers to seize e-scooters and scramblers
Mark Durkan has called for MLAs to vote to give police new powers to tackle the dangerous use of scramblers and e-scooters.
The SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan was speaking ahead of a vote on an SDLP amendment to the Justice Bill on Tuesday.
The amendment – co-sponsored by DUP MLA Paul Frew and Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister – would allow police to seize vehicles causing alarm, distress or annoyance without first having to issue a warning.
Mr. Durkan said: “Communities in Derry, and indeed across the North, are fed up with dangerous anti-social behaviour involving scramblers on their doorsteps. We have seen green spaces damaged, neighbourhoods disrupted and, tragically, serious injuries and even deaths linked to their misuse.
“We are seeing too many instances of parents buying these vehicles for children without fully understanding the law or the dangers. Misuse of scramblers is not only a menace to the public, but could see a young person being hurt or ending up with a criminal record."
Several e-scooters have been taken off the road over recent months by police in Derry.
The dangers associated with the misuse of such vehicles has been well-rehearsed.
Last December it was confirmed that accidents involving the vehicles were the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among children at Temple Street in Dublin.
Mr. Durkan said police currently do not have the powers needed to seize the vehicles.
“The Assembly now has an opportunity to give police the tools they need to tackle this issue while avoiding the unnecessary criminalisation of young people. The SDLP recognises this is a problem that the public feel passionately about and that is why we have worked with colleagues from other parties and welcome their support.
“This amendment offers us a real chance to deal with dangerous and anti-social behaviour involving scramblers and e-scooters. We can’t afford to waste it and I would urge MLAs from all parties to back our amendment.”
In the North e-scooters, scramblers, go-peds, buzz boards, quads and mini-motos do not generally comply with construction and use legislation and vehicle standards so are therefore, restricted to off-road use only.