At the end of the day, this is about taking responsibility.

So let’s stop all the begging and pleading with parents who insist on buying e-scooters for their children.

Let’s stop making excuses for the poor mammies and daddies who “don’t know” that e-scooters are banned for under-16s or who claim they’re “unaware” of the dangers these vehicles pose either for their children or for the unfortunate pedestrians and motorists they too often terrorise.

Let’s just bite the bullet and make some decisions here.

Such as whether Ireland needs to ban these vehicles outright or whether it would be more sensible to fast-track effective legislation governing the use and purchase of e-scooters, with impressive penalties for those who break the law.

If we opt for the latter option, we will have to decide on a sensible and reasonable age for people who are allowed to drive an e-scooter – say 18 years and up?

Because the current situation – where they are only legal for use by those aged 16 or over - isn’t working.

Once that’s decided, we need to introduce tough legislation which makes it very clear from what age they can be driven, and which lays out steep fines, both for parents whose children are driving them and for shops who sell them for use by young people under the legislated age.

The legislation should also impose restrictions on where they may be used; getting them away from places where they pose a menace, such as playgrounds or public parks.

It must regulate licensing, tax, and insurance around these vehicles and........

© Evening Echo