Disabled Offaly man urges parents to 'cop on' to the dangers of electric scooters

A disabled man living in Tullamore has urged parents to 'cop on' to the dangers posed by their children using electric scooters without wearing helmets.

In a letter to the Editor published in this week's Tullamore Tribune Tom Milne said children are not in a position to understand the dangers to themselves and others.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Editor,

I am a disabled member of the community in Offaly. The last few days I have listened with frustration to politicians and media wafting on and on about GAAGO. This is non stop nonsense.

I’m disabled, mine is an acquired brain injury. I know first hand the implications of the disability. I shudder every time I see the number of children and not so young that move throughout our towns and villages at speed on electric scooters without helmets and with no obvious concern for themselves. None wear helmets, so what care have those idiots for the rest of us.

Yes, some day a child will be killed or seriously injured, it's then too late!! Cop on parents/ guardians and political legislators, stop the carnage before it happens, one injury is one to many.

I’d be informing injured parties to sue their parents if they get injured. Children are not capable of recognising or understanding that they are in grave danger themselves and a danger to others. Political will is needed to address the legislation surrounding the licensing, insurance, road tax or footpath tax, because oh yea, Covid is still being pushed out as an excuse, as is war on drug gangs, and associated thuggery, thieving, and now GAAGO.

There is always an excuse not to take the decisions to frame the necessary legislation to bring to the house for discussion.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Milne,

Tullamore.