The increasing use of e-scooters globally has resulted in a rise in traffic-related injuries, particularly maxillofacial trauma. A recent study conducted at Helsinki University Hospital examined e-scooter-related injuries from January 2021 to December 2023, especially focusing on legislative measures aimed at reducing maxillofacial injuries. The research included data from 1,275 patients aged 16 and older, with findings revealing that 169 patients (13.3%) suffered maxillofacial injuries. Legislative restrictions, including speed limits and nighttime riding bans, contributed to a significant reduction in such injuries, including decreases of up to 88% in some months. Predictors of maxillofacial injuries included older age, alcohol intoxication, and the presence of concurrent head and neck injuries. The study underpins the need for targeted policies to mitigate risks associated with e-scooter use.
As e-scooter usage continues to proliferate worldwide, the accompanying rise in traffic-related injuries has attracted increasing attention from the medical community and policymakers alike. Researchers report that e-scooter riders are particularly at risk of sustaining maxillofacial injuries, which are injuries to the face and jaw area. This situation is compounded by risky behaviors, such as riding under the influence of alcohol and neglecting to wear helmets. Past studies have indicated that e-scooter-related facial injuries have emerged as a significant category within traffic injuries, prompting the need for legislative interventions.
Previous interventions in various cities have led to immediate changes in injury statistics. For example, Helsinki enacted regulations on September 3, 2021, that restricted e-scooter use during nighttime and imposed speed limits on e-scooters. Riders are now limited to a maximum speed of 20 km/h during the day and 15 km/h at night. Following these regulatory changes, the number of maxillofacial injuries plummeted, particularly during the summer months when e-scooter use surges. The study noted a 57% decrease in June 2022 and a staggering 88% drop in July 2023 compared to the same months in 2021.
The study's results align with findings from other research that also emphasizes the relationship between alcohol consumption and increased injury risk. Specifically, riders who were intoxicated at the time of their accidents were approximately three times more likely to sustain maxillofacial injuries compared to sober riders. This correlation highlights the crucial need for targeted educational efforts regarding the dangers of riding e-scooters while impaired.
The study also gathered data on patients with concurrent injuries. Out of the 169 patients with maxillofacial injuries, a concerning 32.5% also suffered from head and neck injuries, indicating that facial trauma is often accompanied by severe injuries, thus increasing concerns for public safety. These patterns have been documented widely across various studies, underscoring the intertwined nature of different types of injuries sustained during e-scooter accidents.
As regulatory efforts continue, public compliance remains a major challenge. The findings suggest that while legislative limitations can effectively reduce injury rates, ongoing public awareness campaigns are essential for those riding e-scooters. Compliance with helmet laws is one area that remains critical. The study revealed that only 7.1% of the individuals with maxillofacial injuries wore helmets, raising alarms about safety precautions among e-scooter users.
The results of this study emphasize that even with existing restrictions, significant risk factors remain. Existing government regulations could be fortified by requiring helmets for all riders, which, based on prior studies, can significantly reduce the severity and occurrence of injuries. Notably, some cities have already adopted mandatory helmet laws, yet compliance still varies, and additional measures may be necessary to ensure riders' safety.
In conclusion, the surge in e-scooter-related injuries reveals the pressing need for effective legislative measures and public education to ensure safety. This study underscores that targeted policies can lead to striking reductions in injuries, especially maxillofacial injuries, and further investigations into the efficacy of such measures are vital for shaping future regulations and improving public health outcomes.
