Gardaí have significant legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes, e-scooters and other such vehicles including under the Road Traffic Act 1961, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, and the Criminal Law Act 1997. I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing the illegal use of scramblers, quads, e-bikes, and e-scooters.
This ongoing effort has been significantly bolstered by the enactment of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, which was signed into law in June 2023. The Act includes provisions to tackle the antisocial misuse of these vehicles through measures that grant An Garda Síochána new powers of seizure. In addition, under the Act dangerous driving became an offence in any location, not just on public roads.
The Act also provides for the prohibition or restriction of the use of classes of vehicles in particular places. Minister O'Brien has brought proposals to Cabinet this week to regulate for banning the use of scramblers in public places.
I am informed by Garda authorities that based on incidents of vehicles detained (including those detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act) as well as incidents of property seized on PULSE (where there was at least one linked vehicle that was either a scrambler or quad bike or both) the table below outlines incidents where a scrambler or quad bike was seized or detained by An Garda Síochána between 2023 and 2025.
|
-
|
2023
|
2024
|
2025
|
|
Incidents where quad bikes were seized or detained*
|
179
|
173
|
167
|
|
Incidents where quad bikes were seized or detained*
|
44
|
41
|
40
|
*Figures are based on incidents occurring from 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2025, inclusive. All information is based upon operational data from the PULSE system and is liable to change. Multiple vehicles may have been seized at each incident so, therefore, the figures above correspond to the number of incidents in which a vehicle was seized rather than the number of vehicles seized.
Regarding numbers of convictions, data of this type is recorded by the Courts Service. The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have no role in these matters.
The Courts Service also has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's query on convictions under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 to the Courts Service for direct reply.
