Electric scooter‐related trauma, alcohol and other drugs

Abstract

Objective: To report the frequency of electric scooter-related trauma and association with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including presentations from 1 January 2017 to 31 May 2022 to a metropolitan health service. Results: There were 272 cases included, with increasing frequency, of which 65 (24%) had AOD exposure. Most AOD-related trauma occurred at night, among males, without helmet use, had higher injury severity, requirement for surgical intervention and longer hospital length of stay. Conclusions: Urgent preventive measures with a focus on reducing AOD exposure and promoting of helmet use is indicated.

Western Australian State Trauma Registry analysis of incidence and injury patterns associated with e‐Scooter injuries: 5‐year retrospective case series

“…In the present study, helmet use was reported by 43% of the current cohort. Our results suggest that e‐Scooter riders who did not wear helmets had an association with increased risk of head injuries, which is in keeping with the current literature 6,8,10,16 . The rate of helmet usage (43%) in the current study is in keeping with the findings in Brisbane, Australia (46%), Tasmania (36%), and Melbourne (18%–31%) 6,8,9 .…”

“…10,16 This intoxication rate is the highest noted in the current literature for the Oceania region, with other studies placing intoxication rates between 23.3% and 27%. 6,7,10 Globally, intoxication rates vary greatly with ranges between 5.2% and 75.7% in studies looking at all types of injuries. 16,29,30 Studies investigating head or ophthalmological injuries in isolation noted helmet use rates were as low as 0% and intoxication rates were as high as 91%.…”

“…In this study, 35% of e‐Scooter related hospital admissions were under the influence of alcohol or reported the use of other drugs at the time of their injury. Intoxication has been found to be associated with higher risk and severity of head injuries in e‐Scooter related injuries 10,16 . This intoxication rate is the highest noted in the current literature for the Oceania region, with other studies placing intoxication rates between 23.3% and 27% 6,7,10 .…”

“…3 The increase in e-Scooter utilization has been accompanied by a rise in e-Scooter related injuries in multiple high-income countries. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] The most common types of injuries associated with e-Scooter falls are limb injuries and head trauma. 16 Modifiable risk factors for e-Scooter related injury include lack of helmet use, alcohol use, and night-time riding.…”

“…In the United States of America, e‐Scooter injury incidence increased by 222% between 2017 and 2018 3 . The increase in e‐Scooter utilization has been accompanied by a rise in e‐Scooter related injuries in multiple high‐income countries 3–15 . The most common types of injuries associated with e‐Scooter falls are limb injuries and head trauma 16 .…”