Gardai introduce brand new type of checkpoints and patrols in Dublin for scramblers
Gardai have introduced a new type of checkpoints and patrols in the capital in a bid to crack down on scramblers.
There has been a spike in the number of vehicles of this nature being used illegally in Dublin, especially in the north inner city.
Superintendent Dan Flavin has said that a number of operations will take place in order to tackle the issue.
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Speaking to FM104, he said: "We're going to apply a very structured approach to it," he said.
"A lot of this will back in to us into the information we're gathering in relation to who is actually using them.
"We want to get them at the very start, just as they're about to get on the bike."
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Gardai put a significant operation in place just before Christmas to tackle the issue of illegally operated scrambler bikes, quads and mopeds on Dublin roads.
Community Policing members called to schools and talked to parents in order to warn of the dangers associated with this activity.
Leaflets were produced and distributed in an attempt to dissuade parents from purchasing these vehicles and young people from using them.
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David Storey of Fingal County Council said at the time: "Parents need to be aware that scramblers and quad bikes have potentially lethal consequences if not used in the appropriate manner.
"Ensuring the safety of users of scramblers and quad bikes is our main priority."
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Three of the four people who died in Ireland as a result of an incident involving a quad bike or scrambler were aged 18 or under, in the period 2014 to 2017, according to provisional statistics published by The Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The casualty figures also show that between 2014 and 2017, there were 39 people killed or injured in collisions involving a quadbike or scrambler on a public road and 41% were 18 years of age or under.