Parents Urged Not to Buy E-Scooters for Children Under 16 This Christmas
E-scooters are now the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in children admitted to CHI at Temple Street.
A powerful new campaign launched today by the Road Safety Authority and Children's Health Ireland warns that e-scooters have become the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in children admitted to Temple Street hospital, with some young patients left facing lifelong consequences.
The RSA and CHI campaign, voiced by Dr Irwin Gill, Consultant Paediatrician at Children's Health Ireland, urges parents not to purchase e-scooters as Christmas gifts for anyone under the age of 16, highlighting that such use is both illegal on public roads and extremely dangerous.
The campaign comes as alarming hospital data reveals that e-scooter-related brain injuries now account for over 25% of paediatric neurosurgical admissions at CHI Temple Street in the past year. Around half of these young patients required intensive care, whilst almost half underwent emergency neurosurgery.
Dr Irwin Gill, Consultant Paediatrician at CHI, said:
"In the last year alone, we've seen more than 20 children who sustained serious brain injuries after falling from e-scooters. The average hospital stay for these children was 19 days, and some face lifelong consequences. Many parents don't realise it's illegal for anyone under 16 to ride an e-scooter on a public road. As someone who sees injured children far too often, I'm asking parents: please do not allow any child under sixteen to ride an e-scooter."
The campaign arrives amid growing safety concerns about e-scooter use in Ireland. Recent RSA research found that one in three regular users admit to riding on footpaths, where use is prohibited, whilst more than one in ten report carrying child passengers. Nearly one in four regular riders have been involved in a collision, with one in three experiencing a near miss.
Since e-scooter legislation was introduced in May 2024, hospitals have witnessed a worrying rise in serious injuries among young riders. The medical evidence from Temple Street paints a stark picture: children suffering severe head injuries, prolonged hospital stays, and in some cases, permanent disabilities resulting from e-scooter accidents.
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority, said:
"These findings are deeply concerning. E-scooters are not toys: they are powerful motorised vehicles, and the risks for children are severe. Our message is simple: if your child is under sixteen, an e-scooter is not a suitable or legal gift. This campaign is about protecting children from preventable harm and ensuring every parent understands the potential consequences."
The RSA and CHI are calling on parents, guardians, and communities across Cork and Ireland to share this vital safety message as the Christmas shopping season begins.
The new radio advertisement, which draws directly from Dr Gill's experience treating young patients with severe head injuries, can be viewed on the RSA website.
