Minister Defends New Regulations to Ban Scramblers from Roads

The Minister of State for Transport, Seán Canney, has firmly rejected claims that upcoming regulations to prohibit scramblers from public roads are merely symbolic. This announcement follows a tragic incident resulting in the death of Grace Lynch on January 25, 2023, which has spurred legislative action. The law is set to be named after Lynch, as confirmed by Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, who stated, “Grace’s mother said to me, she wanted it to be known as Grace’s law, and that’s what it will be.”

In a challenging interview on Newstalk, Canney emphasized the necessity of clarifying the existing “ambiguity” surrounding the use of scramblers, although he did not specify how the new regulations would differ from legislation enacted in 2023. These prior laws addressed issues such as dangerous driving and lack of insurance, yet Canney acknowledged the need for additional measures to enhance safety.

Darragh O’Brien, the Transport Minister, is set to present a memorandum to the Cabinet aimed at drafting regulations that explicitly ban the use of scramblers in all public spaces, including roads. He also intends to streamline processes for confiscating and destroying these vehicles, making it easier for the Gardaí to handle seized scramblers.

During the interview, Canney stated that the current enforcement of existing laws is a “key priority.” He asserted that scramblers are not designed for public road use, reinforcing the need for the new regulations. “The definition of a scrambler will be laid out in the regulation when we bring it in and how it will be dealt with. It’s important that we understand that we’re trying to make communities safer,” he said.

In the last two years, Gardaí have confiscated over 400 scramblers, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. When questioned on why further legislation is necessary given these confiscations, Canney explained, “Because we need to make sure that the scramblers are off our public roads because they are a danger to people on the roads.”

Concerns about enforcement have been raised, particularly regarding the ability of Gardaí to pursue scramblers, which often traverse footpaths and green areas at high speeds. Canney acknowledged this challenge but stressed that officers can confiscate scramblers at their storage locations if they track them effectively. “If this is observed, and if they deem it dangerous to chase the person across that public park, they will detect and use their skills to track that scrambler back to wherever it parks,” he noted.

The proposed regulations will also address the aftermath of confiscations, as current laws allow individuals to apply for the return of seized scramblers following court proceedings. Canney described the existing legislation as “lax” and emphasized the need for a more definitive approach. “We need to make sure that we have finality with this, so that scramblers are taken off our roads. We need to do it as a matter of urgency,” he stated.

As discussions continue regarding the implementation of these regulations, the government aims to enhance public safety and prevent further tragedies related to scramblers on public roads.