The dire consequences of unsafe e-scooter use

Sir, – Sadhbh O’Neill is right that single-occupancy cars take up far too much urban space and Ireland needs safer infrastructure for micromobility. But concern about e-scooters is not simply “moral panic” (“Give me an e-scooter over a single-occupancy car any day”, Opinion, March 31st).

As an ICU consultant, I see at first hand the reality of severe head injury and the devastating consequences of traumatic brain injury. Against that background, it is difficult to accept that concern about illegal or unsafe e-scooter use should be dismissed as overreaction.

Yes, the law is clear: riders must be 16 or over, scooters are speed-limited and footpath use is prohibited. But rules that are routinely ignored are scant reassurance to vulnerable road users, especially older people, disabled people and parents with small children.

We should be able to reduce car dependence without compromising road safety. – Yours, etc,