Elderly man's face 'smashed' in Laois e-scooter collision
E-scooters have been banned from footpaths since May 2024. File image
AN OLD man’s face was “smashed” when he was knocked down by an e-scooter on a footpath in Portarlington.
The frightening incident was highlighted by local councillor Aidan Mullins, when he repeated his appeal for signs to be erected warning that e-scooters are not legally permitted on footpaths.
The Independent councillor said there was another serious incident on a footpath in the town recently, when “a young lad on an e-scooter” struck an old man who was coming out of a shop. The man was knocked down and his face was badly injured.
“All his face was smashed,” Cllr Mullins told the latest Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District meeting.
Since May 2024, it has been illegal to use e-scooters on footpaths.
Cllr Mullins recalled that, when he put in a request for warning signs last September, the council said that signs banning e-scooters on footpaths are not in the Traffic Signs Manual, which is produced by the Department of Transport. Instead, signs prohibiting bicycle use on footpaths also apply to e-scooters.
Cllr Mullins insisted that there was nothing to prevent the council putting up signs, whether or not they were in the manual and it could prevent further serious accidents.
Senior engineer Philip McVeigh told the latest meeting that the issue should be referred to the council’s road design section. Cllr Mullins said he would follow up the need for warning signs with the road design office.
