Doctors are raising concerns over a sharp increase in serious e-scooter injuries among children, warning that hospitals are seeing a growing number of young patients with severe head injuries, broken bones and other life-threatening trauma linked to electric scooter accidents.
A new study found that injuries involving children and teenagers have risen exponentially in recent years as e-scooters have become increasingly popular. Medical experts say many of the injuries could have been prevented if riders had worn helmets and followed basic safety rules.
According to researchers, the most common injuries include head trauma, facial fractures, broken arms and legs, internal injuries and cuts requiring surgery. A significant number of injured children were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash, increasing the risk of serious brain injuries.
Doctors say children are particularly vulnerable because they often lack the experience and judgment needed to safely operate high-speed electric scooters. They also noted that many crashes involve riding on busy roads, excessive speed, poor road conditions or carrying passengers, all of which increase the risk of severe accidents.
Health experts are calling for stronger safety measures, including mandatory helmet use, stricter age restrictions, better parental supervision and improved public education on e-scooter safety. Some researchers also recommend tighter regulations on the sale and use of high-powered e-scooters by minors.
As electric scooters become more common in cities around the world, emergency physicians warn that without stronger safety measures, hospitals are likely to continue seeing a growing number of preventable injuries among children.
Parents are being encouraged to ensure their children wear properly fitted helmets, use protective gear and ride only in designated areas where permitted by local laws.