Emergency room admissions for e-scooter injuries have doubled in the United States over the past two years, according to two new studies. The growing popularity of e-scooters has led to more broken bones and fractured skulls in U.S. emergency departments.
One study found that 88% of e-scooter drivers involved in accidents were not wearing a helmet. Another study discovered that many injuries occurred among kids and teens, with two-thirds of cases involving people under 16 resulting in major injuries that sometimes required ICU care.
E-scooter injuries are on the rise. Dr. Cornelia Griggs, a pediatric surgeon and surgical critical care specialist at Mass General Brigham for Children in Boston, warned that an e-scooter is not a toy. A child can get hurt far worse on one than on a regular bike.
A team from Howard University analyzed data from over 10,000 trauma-related admissions to U.S. hospitals and found that admissions involving e-scooter injuries jumped 92% between 2021 and 2023. Most injuries were labeled minor or moderate, but 16.2% of patients required ICU care and 11.3% required surgery.
Dr. Quyen Chu, a professor of surgery at Howard University, noted that helmet use was linked to a lower odds of being admitted to the ICU after an e-scooter accident. However, only about 12% of those injured reported wearing a helmet. The researchers emphasized the importance of wearing helmets to reduce the severity of injuries.
Griggs’ study used a national injury-surveillance database to track e-scooter injuries among people under 19. The study found that injured youngsters averaged about 13 years of age and that injuries were more likely to be severe for those under 16.
For more information on the safe use of e-scooters, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website. The website provides tips and guidelines for safely riding e-scooters, including wearing helmets and following traffic rules.
The studies highlight the need for increased awareness and education about e-scooter safety, particularly among kids and teens. By taking precautions and wearing helmets, riders can reduce their risk of injury and stay safe while riding e-scooters. The researchers hope that their findings will lead to increased safety measures and regulations to prevent e-scooter injuries.
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