Three people were killed and 54 seriously injured as a result of collisions involving at least one scrambler in the four year period between 2021 and 2025, according to a new analysis from the Road Safety Authority.
The findings show that pedestrians were the largest group of non-scrambler road users affected by such incidents, with nine seriously injured between 2021 and 2025.
The RSA today published an analysis of fatalities and serious injuries arising from collisions involving scramblers on public roads between 2021 and 2025.
According to the authority, the findings “highlight a clear and concerning road safety issue associated with scrambler use, particularly in Dublin and at weekends”.
Of the total 57 people killed and injured in collisions involving a scrambler in the specified period, 42 were scrambler users (two fatalities and 40 serious injuries).
All 42 scrambler users were male, the analysis found.
It also found that 31 of the 42 scrambler users were aged 25 years old or younger, and that 31 of the 42 scrambler users were injured in Dublin.
Four were injured in Cork, and three in Limerick.
Among the 15 other road users injured in collisions with scramblers, one person was killed and fourteen were seriously injured.
Nine were pedestrians; two were cyclists; two were drivers; and a further two were passengers.
Commenting on the publication, RSA Director Michael Rowland said that the analysis “demonstrates a persistent and serious road safety risk associated with the use of scramblers on public roads”.
“The profile is clear — young men are most at risk, incidents are concentrated in Dublin, and many occur at weekends.
“Scramblers are designed for off-road use, and when used inappropriately on public roads they pose a danger not only to the rider but to other vulnerable road users,” he said, adding that the RSA “will continue to support enforcement and legislative measures aimed at addressing this issue”.
The analysis is based on data from An Garda Síochána and relates to incidents on public roads only.
A total ban on scrambler use in public places will be implemented under ‘Grace’s Law’, named after 16 year old Grace Lynch, who was killed in January this year after being struck by scrambler in Finglas, Co. Dublin.