Beatrice Lang
Electric scooters have become an increasingly popular mode of transport, particularly in urban areas. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of these devices, with a growing number of accidents and fatalities involving e-scooters. While they are a sustainable and cost-effective option, the lack of protection they offer to riders puts them at higher risk of severe injuries in the event of a collision. This has sparked debates about the regulation and legal status of e-scooters, with some calling for mandatory training, helmets, and insurance to be implemented. As the popularity of e-scooters continues to rise, addressing safety concerns and finding ways to protect riders, pedestrians, and other road users becomes increasingly crucial.
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Electric scooter accidents that resulted in death
Electric scooters are a vulnerable mode of transport, as riders are not protected by a vehicle body and can be hard for drivers to see. Most e-scooter accidents do not result in severe injuries, but there have been several fatalities. Here are some examples of electric scooter accidents that resulted in death:
UK Incidents
In 2022, there were 12 fatalities in collisions involving e-scooters in the UK, up from four the previous year. One of these incidents involved an 18-year-old man, Mason Pitt, who died in hospital following a crash on a rental scooter in Slough. He succumbed to a neck injury after falling off the scooter. Another incident involved a 14-year-old girl who died after a crash with a van in Newham, London. A 21-year-old woman also died in Northampton after crashing her rented e-scooter, and a 74-year-old man died in Greater Manchester after colliding with two parked cars.
In June 2022, 71-year-old Linda Davis died after being hit by an e-scooter in Nottinghamshire. She is believed to be the first pedestrian in the UK to die in an e-scooter collision. A 14-year-old boy who was riding on the pavement at the time of the incident was questioned by police and remains under investigation.
US Incidents
Between early 2018 and early 2020, at least 11 people died in the US from injuries related to e-scooter accidents. One incident involved a 54-year-old man in San Diego who lost control of his scooter and crashed into a tree. He was not wearing a helmet. Another tragic incident involved a 5-year-old boy in Oklahoma who fell off a scooter he was riding with his mother and was hit by a car.
While these incidents highlight the potential dangers of e-scooters, it's important to note that the majority of accidents do not result in severe injuries or fatalities. However, safety concerns have led to calls for tighter regulations and mandatory safety measures, such as helmets and training, to protect riders and pedestrians.
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Safety concerns and calls for regulation
Electric scooters, or e-scooters, have become increasingly popular in recent years, with an estimated one million riders across the UK. While they offer a sustainable and cost-effective mode of transport, safety concerns have been raised following a number of accidents and fatalities involving these vehicles.
E-scooter accidents have resulted in serious injuries and even deaths, with the number of casualties increasing year-on-year. In 2022, there were an estimated 1,492 casualties in collisions involving e-scooters in Great Britain, with 1,149 of those being e-scooter users. Unfortunately, 12 people lost their lives in these collisions, with 11 of them being e-scooter riders. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with four deaths reported in the year ending in June 2021 and nine deaths reported in 2021.
One of the main safety concerns with e-scooters is the vulnerability of riders. Unlike car occupants, e-scooter users are not protected by a vehicle body and are more exposed to the surrounding environment. This makes them particularly susceptible to injuries in the event of a collision. Additionally, e-scooter riders can be harder for drivers to see on the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
The rise in e-scooter accidents has sparked calls for increased regulation and safety measures. Campaigners have urged the government to pause trials and introduce legislation to address the safety concerns. Sarah Gayton, from the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, emphasised the urgency of shutting down e-scooter trials and rethinking legislation to protect vulnerable road users. There have also been calls for mandatory safety measures such as helmets, training similar to cycling proficiency courses, and insurance for private e-scooter ownership.
While the government has acknowledged the safety concerns, they have also highlighted the complexity of the issue. The Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that safety is at the heart of their e-scooter trials, aiming to protect riders, pedestrians, and other road users. The government plans to draft future legislation to further regulate e-scooters, addressing technical requirements and user expectations on the roads.
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E-scooter rider deaths
In the year ending in June 2022, there were 1,095 e-scooter user casualties in collisions, with 12 people killed, 11 of whom were e-scooter riders. This is a sharp increase from the previous year, which saw 811 casualties and four deaths. The number of people seriously injured in e-scooter incidents has also almost doubled, rising from 228 in 2021 to 429 in 2022.
The rise in casualties has sparked concerns among campaigners and experts, who have called for the government to pause e-scooter trials and introduce stricter regulations. They emphasize the need for mandatory training, helmets, and insurance for private ownership to enhance safety.
While e-scooters offer sustainability and cost-effectiveness, safety concerns cannot be overlooked. Male riders, particularly those aged between 10 and 39, have been overrepresented in casualty statistics. Additionally, the vulnerability of e-scooter users on the road due to their lack of protection and lower visibility to drivers has been highlighted.
The UK government has acknowledged the safety concerns and stated that safety is at the heart of their e-scooter trials, aiming to protect riders, pedestrians, and other road users. They plan to draft future legislation to further regulate e-scooters, addressing technical requirements and user expectations on the roads.
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Deaths of pedestrians hit by e-scooters
Electric scooters have become increasingly popular, especially in dense urban areas. However, their rise in popularity has also led to a growing number of accidents and casualties. While most of the injuries researched in the UCLA study were minor, several people ended up in the hospital, and a few in intensive care units.
In the UK, the Department for Transport (DfT) reported over 220 injured and over 60 seriously injured pedestrians due to e-scooter accidents in 2021. This is a significant increase from 2020, which saw less than 60 injuries and less than 15 serious injuries.
In the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission linked e-scooters to 50,000 emergency room visits and 27 deaths between 2017 and 2019. Improperly parked e-scooters have also contributed to pedestrian injuries and deaths, creating obstacles and tripping hazards, especially for the elderly.
In 2024, a 65-year-old man, Donny Kim, died after being struck by an e-scooter in Los Angeles. Surveillance video shows Kim falling and hitting his head, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. This incident sparked concerns about the safety of e-scooters and their impact on pedestrians.
The rise in e-scooter accidents has led to calls for stricter regulations and safety measures. Critics argue that e-scooters create havoc on congested city streets and sidewalks, with pedestrians at risk of being hit or injured by them. In the UK, campaigners have urged the government to pause trials and introduce legislation for mandatory licence plates and safety measures such as helmets and insurance.
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Injuries caused by electric scooter accidents
Electric scooters have become increasingly popular for personal transportation and leisure activities. However, their rise in use has also led to a surge in accidents and injuries. In the UK, e-scooter casualties trebled year-on-year, with 1,095 e-scooter users injured in collisions in the year ending in June 2022, compared to 811 the previous year. The number of seriously injured casualties rose from 288 to 429, while slightly injured casualties increased from 741 to 996.
Similarly, in the US, emergency departments have reported a national increase in injuries related to e-scooters and other micromobility devices. Between 2017 and 2022, e-scooter injuries rose by 45% each year, with nearly half of all estimated e-bike injuries occurring in 2022. The number of hospitalizations due to e-scooter injuries in the US has also risen sharply, with 6,317 hospitalizations in 2022, up from 791 in 2017.
The most common types of injuries sustained in e-scooter accidents include fractures, contusions, and abrasions. The head, neck, and upper and lower limbs are the most frequently injured body areas. Internal injuries are also more common among e-scooter riders compared to conventional scooter riders. Additionally, there is a high proportion of intoxicated riders among e-scooter users, which can contribute to the severity of accidents.
The majority of e-scooter accidents involve a fall, with collisions being less frequent. However, these collisions can have serious consequences, especially when involving pedestrians. In the UK, a 71-year-old woman died after being hit by an e-scooter, believed to be the first pedestrian death in an e-scooter collision in the country. There have also been reports of multiple fatalities among e-scooter riders, including teenagers and young adults.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, 12 people died in collisions involving electric scooters in the UK, 11 of whom were electric scooter riders. This is a sharp increase from the four deaths involving electric scooters in the year ending in June 2021.
Most people who succumb to electric scooter injuries are involved in motor vehicle collisions. According to Bird, 75% of all known fatalities relating to electric scooters fall into this category. Those who died after falling from the scooter or from a pedestrian accident usually die from head trauma.
Electric scooter users are vulnerable on the road because they are not protected by a vehicle body and tend to be harder for drivers to see. They are therefore particularly susceptible to injuries. In addition, electric scooters can be difficult to spot for motorists, who may mistake them for pedestrians and fail to anticipate their speed.
