Risk assessment, consequences, and epidemiology of electric scooter accidents admitted to an emergency department: a prospective observational study

Eyal Gan-El, William Ngatchou Djomo, Andreea Monica Pascu Ciobanu, Leonard Kaufman, Francis Ndé Djiélé, Maarten Ulrix, Bernard Kreps, Alain Plumacker, Stefano Malinverni, Magali Bartiaux, Pierre Youatou Towo, Eyal Gan-El, William Ngatchou Djomo, Andreea Monica Pascu Ciobanu, Leonard Kaufman, Francis Ndé Djiélé, Maarten Ulrix, Bernard Kreps, Alain Plumacker, Stefano Malinverni, Magali Bartiaux, Pierre Youatou Towo

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals involved in electric scooter (E-scooter) accidents and the factors associated with these incidents.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of individuals involved in E-scooter accidents admitted to the emergency department of Saint-Pierre Hospital. The highest abbreviated injury score above or equal to two classified the injury as significant. Injuries during working hours were compared to those during off-working hours.

Results: During the study period from June 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, 170 individuals were admitted to the emergency department following an E-scooter accident. In 73.5% of the accidents, rented E-scooters were involved. Of the patients, 68.2% were male, 6.4% wore helmets, and 30% were under the influence of alcohol. Upper limb and cranial injuries were more frequently severe (abbreviated injury score ≥ 2) than other injuries (p < 0.05). Accidents during off-working hours were significantly related to alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), non-usage of helmets (p < 0.01), head and neck injuries (p < 0.01), and rented E-scooters (p < 0.01). Alcohol consumption was itself associated with the non-usage of helmets (p < 0.05) and major head and neck injuries (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Given the increasing popularity of E-scooters as an alternative mode of transportation, our study can inform public policy on patterns of injuries associated with E-scooter utilization for future injury prevention policies. Using helmets, avoiding alcohol consumption, and regulating use at night can improve outcomes in E-scooter accidents.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04778332.

Keywords: E-scooters; Electric scooter injury; Emergency medicine; Micro-mobility; Trauma.

Conflict of interest statement

All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Age distribution
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distributions of admissions based on time periods
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Distribution of accidents by month

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Source: PubMed

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