Clamping down on quad bike menace
0 Comments | Kirkintilloch Herald / The Advertiser (Kirkintilloch, Scotland), Dec 2, 2009
A number of noisy quads and mini-motorbikes, driven by teenagers, have been a causing concerns for people living in the Waterside area of Kirkintilloch.
A spokesperson for Waterside Community Council said: “They ride about the fields and the public roads without wearing crash helmets, and I’m sure they don’t have insurance.
“You don’t see them coming and if you stepped out in front of one you wouldn’t have a chance.
The police told us they would be keeping an eye on the situation and it’s been quieter since, although that could just be because of the bad weather.”
Sergeant Maurice Lindsay, at Kirkintilloch Police Office, said the community policing team had taken action against those flouting the law.
He said: “I have asked the community police officers to engage with young people in the area and educate them as to the law.
“These vehicles need to be registered and insured, and the rider must have a driving licence.
“The age of these riders means that they are not able to hold a driving licence, so they cannot be insured either.
“We are now carrying out a zero tolerance approach and local officers have successfully reported a number of offenders.”
Sergeant Lindsay added: “I would remind parents that when, or if, they purchase these items they should also take time to put in place arrangements for the appropriate location for them to be used, rather than public areas where they can put people at risk of injury.”