Article Summary
A UCLA study analyzing data from 2016 to 2021 found that 25% of 7,350 patients hospitalized for e-scooter injuries were under the influence of substances like alcohol, opioids, marijuana, or cocaine. Published in The American Surgeon, the research reveals an eight-fold increase in scooter-related hospitalizations during this period. Substance-impaired riders faced double the risk of traumatic brain injuries and incurred $4,600 higher hospital costs per patient. The study highlights the urgent need for safety measures like helmet mandates and substance use prevention to address this growing public health concern.
What This Means for You
- Increased Injury Risk: Riding an e-scooter under the influence significantly raises the likelihood of severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.
- Higher Medical Costs: Substance-impaired riders face substantially higher hospitalization costs, which could financially strain individuals and healthcare systems.
- Safety Precautions: Always wear a helmet, avoid substance use before riding, and follow local traffic laws to minimize injury risks.
- Future Outlook: As e-scooter use grows, stricter regulations and infrastructure improvements are essential to prevent preventable injuries and ensure rider safety.
Nearly one-quarter of e-Scooter injuries involved substance impaired riders
Analyzing data from the 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample, UCLA researchers found that 25% of 7350 patients hospitalized for scooter-related injuries were using substances such as alcohol, opioids, marijuana and cocaine when injured. Published in The American Surgeon, the study also notes that overall scooter-related hospitalizations during the 5-year period jumped more than eight-fold, from 330 to 2705. In addition, the risk of traumatic brain injuries among the substance use group was almost double that of the non-impaired patients. Substance use also increased hospital costs by an average $4,600 per patient.
While the rise in e-scooter’s popularity has coincided with a jump in related injuries, the role of substance use in those injuries had not been previously explored. Given the rising prevalence of substance use in scooter-related injuries, the authors say strategies such as helmet mandates, substance use prevention and infrastructure improvements are needed to mitigate these injury risks.
“In today’s landscape of rapidly growing scooter use, our study highlights how substance use among riders has played a significant role in the rise of severe, costly, and largely preventable injuries,” said Dr. Areti Tillou, vice chair for education in the UCLA Department of Surgery and the study’s senior author. “Our study was limited to hospitalized patients and thus likely underestimates the current rate of injuries. As urban centers continue to expand shared micromobility systems, the growing prevalence of substance use among scooter riders raises serious concerns about rider safety. These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen safety regulations, enforce helmet use, and reduce substance use among scooter riders to prevent injuries and promote safer, more sustainable urban transportation.”
People Also Ask About
- How common are e-scooter injuries? E-scooter injuries have surged, with hospitalizations increasing eight-fold from 2016 to 2021.
- What substances are commonly involved in e-scooter injuries? Alcohol, opioids, marijuana, and cocaine are the most frequently reported substances in such cases.
- What are the risks of riding an e-scooter while impaired? Impaired riders face double the risk of traumatic brain injuries and higher hospitalization costs.
- How can e-scooter injuries be prevented? Helmet mandates, substance use prevention, and infrastructure improvements are key strategies.
- Are e-scooter injuries on the rise? Yes, as e-scooter use grows, so do related injuries, particularly among substance-impaired riders.
Expert Opinion
Dr. Areti Tillou, the study’s senior author, emphasizes that the rise in e-scooter injuries, particularly among substance-impaired riders, is a pressing public health issue. She calls for stricter safety regulations, helmet enforcement, and substance use prevention measures to mitigate risks and promote safer urban transportation systems. This study underscores the critical need for policymakers and urban planners to address these challenges proactively as shared micromobility systems expand globally.
Key Terms
- e-scooter injury statistics
- substance-impaired scooter riders
- traumatic brain injury risk
- scooter safety regulations
- urban micromobility systems
- hospitalization costs for scooter injuries
- helmet mandates for e-scooters
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