Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood calls for action to control the use of e-scooters
Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has spoken out about young people and children using e-scooters, saying the issue is “out of hand”.
“I'm sure we've all seen personal examples of young people or adults endangering themselves or the public whilst on the scooters,” said Ms Eastwood.
She said two teenage boys were recently seen “flying on the scooters at more than 30mph in the middle of the road and going round the blind bend.
"They could have been killed or got someone else killed. 15 minutes later, kids flying on the Knockmore Road on the footpaths, flying round pedestrians etc. Its a tragedy waiting to happen.”
Ms Eastwood said there is an issue with policing the use of e-scooters, but she also questioned why parents were buying them for young children.
"Firstly, there's an issue with buying these machines for kids,” she continued. “Why are you buying children these items when they are 12, 13
"Secondly, when did people stop wearing helmets whilst on bikes or e-scooters? No one seems to wear a helmet anymore. If you fall off you'll smash your head like an egg. We would have been skelped across the legs if we didn't have a helmet on back in the day.
"Thirdly, is the policing response. I believe that there are laws already in existence that can enable an appropriate and effective policing response. There doesn't need to be further laws, there needs to be enforcement of the law.
"Lastly, we now live in a society where there's absolutely no respect for rules or order never mind law and order.
"We are doing young people and adults a huge disservice in life if we continually turn a blind eye to bad behaviour or make excuses for bad behaviour.
"Young people respond to parameters being set and they actually want boundaries. Don't think for a second that letting them tear on and blaming someone else will help them. You are setting them on the wrong path.”
She concluded: “The whole Alliance Lagan Valley team are all working on this issue and we will keep doing so, but this can only be resolved through a whole community effort. We will continue to keep working on this.”