GARDAÍ are appealing to parents to ensure their children are not driving quad bikes following the seizure of a vehicle from a youth in Milford.

Gardaí from Milford Roads Policing Unit seized a quad bike from a youth this week when they observed it being driven by him on a public road.

In light of this, they have re-issued advice in relation to the use of quads, warning how quads are “powerful machines that have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone”.

“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 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.”

Gardaí have said that in many of the reports they have received quads are 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.”

Appealing to parents, the garda spokesperson said that a number of fatalities involving children on quads have occurred in recent years.

The spokesperson added that 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.”

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