The e-merging e-pidemic of e-scooters

Abstract

IntroductionSince their release in 2017, standing electric motorized scooters (eScooters) have risen in popularity as an alternative mode of transportation. We sought to examine the incidence of injury, injury patterns, prevalence of helmet and drug and alcohol use in eScooter trauma.MethodsThis was a multi-institutional retrospective case series of patients admitted for injuries related to operation of an eScooter following the widespread release of these devices in September 2017 (September 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018). Demographics, drug and alcohol use, helmet use, admission vitals, injuries, procedures, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), death, and disposition were analyzed.Results103 patients were admitted during the study period, and monthly admissions increased significantly over time. Patients were young men (mean age 37.1 years; 65% male), 98% were not wearing a helmet. Median LOS was 1 day (IQR 1–3). 79% of patients were tested for alcohol and 48% had a blood alcohol level >80 mg/dL. 60% of patients had a urine toxicology screen, of which 52% were positive. Extremity fractures were the most frequent injury (42%), followed by facial fractures (26%) and intracranial hemorrhage (18%). Median Injury Severity Score was 5.5 (IQR 5–9). One-third of patients (n=34) required an operative intervention, the majority of which were open fixations of extremity and facial fractures. No patients died during the study. The majority of patients were discharged home (86%).ConclusioneScooter-related trauma has significantly increased over time. Alcohol and illicit substance use among these patients was common, and helmet use was extremely rare. Significant injuries including intracranial hemorrhage and fractures requiring operative intervention were present in over half (51%) of patients. Interventions aimed at increasing helmet use and discouraging eScooter operation while intoxicated are necessary to reduce the burden of eScooter-related trauma.Level of evidenceLevel IV.

Traumatic Injuries Associated With Standing Motorized Scooters

“…This limitation, along with the fact that our institution does not have an intermediate care unit, may explain the relatively high number of patients admitted to the ICU. In line with previous studies, 2,3 we found that the use of protective devices appears to be exceedingly rare; indeed, no individuals were found to be using a protective device at time of injury. Furthermore, the use of alcohol and/or illicit drugs was a significant risk factor for injury, consistent with previous findings.…”

“…Furthermore, the use of alcohol and/or illicit drugs was a significant risk factor for injury, consistent with previous findings. 2 Taken together, these findings suggest a gap in public awareness of the potential dangers of standing motorized scooters.…”

E-Scooter-Unfälle und deren Folgen

“…Die E-Scooter können nach der Benutzung überall innerhalb der designierten Sharing-Zone abgestellt werden und stehen sofort dem nächsten User zur Verfügung (. [10]. Das Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI) schreibt eine Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 20 km/h vor, es wird kein Führerschein benötigt, jedoch ist ein Mindestalter von 14 Jahren ist für die Benutzung obligat [5].…”

“…Sie beobachteten bei den insgesamt 75 operativ zu versorgenden Frakturen eine Ähnlichkeit zu Verletzungsmustern, die sonst nur im Rahmen von Hochrasanztraumen auftreten [8]. Eine retrospektive Analyse von Kobayashi et al zeigte in einem Zeitraum von 14 Monaten bei 103 Patienten einen mittleren Injury Severity Score (ISS) von 5,9 [10,11]. Trivedi et al fanden in der bisher größten E-Scooter-Studie mit 249 Fällen, dass nur 6 % der Patienten bei Fahren des E-Scooters und entsprechend zum Zeitpunkt des Unfalls einen Helm trugen.…”

Dockless E-Scooter: A Green Solution for Mobility? Comparative Case Study between Dockless E-Scooters, Displaced Transport, and Personal E-Scooters

“…Most criticism concerns i) The parking of the e-scooter when it is parked on the sidewalk; ii) the number of accidents and of injuries; iii) Their short lifespan [8]; and iv) the unstable contracts offered to the independent battery chargers. The subject of e-scooter user injuries is the most abundant topic related to e-scooters in the scientific literature [9][10][11][12][13][14]. The parking of e-scooters has been the subject of one article [15].…”