IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i5p4233-d1081980.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Trauma Characteristics Associated with E-Scooter Accidents in Switzerland—A Case Series Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ava Insa Bracher

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Samuel Klingler

    (Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Sabine Koba

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Dominik Andreas Jakob

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Aristomenis Exadaktylos

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • John-Patrik Burkhard

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
    Cleft and Craniofacial Center Professor J. A. Obwegeser, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

E-scooters have gained popularity worldwide in the last few years. Due to the increase in users, more accidents related to e-scooters can be observed. The present study aimed to analyse epidemiological data, characteristics, and severity of injuries in patients admitted to a Level I trauma centre in Switzerland (Inselspital Bern, University Hospital Bern) after accidents associated with e-scooters. This retrospective case series evaluated 23 patients who presented to the University Hospital of Bern between 1 of May 2019 and 31 of October 2021 after an e-scooter accident. Data were collected on patient demographics, time and cause of the accident, speed, alcohol consumption, helmet use, type and localisation of injury, number of injuries per patient, and outcome. Men were most frequently affected (61.9%). The mean age was 35.8 (STD 14.8) years. Slightly more than half (52.2%) of all accidents were self-inflicted. Most accidents were reported during the night (7 p.m. to 7 a.m., 60.9%) and in summer (43.5%). Alcohol consumption was reported in 43.5% of cases, with a mean blood alcohol level of 1.4 g/l. Most injuries were observed in the face (25.3%) and head/neck area (20.25%). Skin abrasions (56.5%) and traumatic brain injury (43.5%) were the most common types of traumata in terms of total number of patients. Only in one case it was reported that a protective helmet had been worn. Five patients required hospitalisation and four patients underwent surgery. Three patients underwent emergency orthopaedic surgery, and one patient underwent emergency neurosurgery. E-scooter accidents result in a significant number of facial and head/neck injuries. E-scooter riders would potentially benefit from a helmet to protect them in the event of an accident. Additionally, the results of this study indicate that a significant number of e-scooter accidents in Switzerland occurred under the influence of alcohol. Prevention campaigns to raise awareness of the risks of driving e-scooters under the influence of alcohol could help prevent future accidents.

Suggested Citation

  • Ava Insa Bracher & Samuel Klingler & Sabine Koba & Dominik Andreas Jakob & Aristomenis Exadaktylos & Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler & John-Patrik Burkhard, 2023. "Trauma Characteristics Associated with E-Scooter Accidents in Switzerland—A Case Series Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4233-:d:1081980
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/5/4233/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/5/4233/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Steve O’Hern & Nora Estgfaeller, 2020. "A Scientometric Review of Powered Micromobility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-21, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Felix Schwinger & Baran Tanriverdi & Matthias Jarke, 2022. "Comparing Micromobility with Public Transportation Trips in a Data-Driven Spatio-Temporal Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-27, July.
    2. Tim De Ceunynck & Gert Jan Wijlhuizen & Aslak Fyhri & Regine Gerike & Dagmar Köhler & Alice Ciccone & Atze Dijkstra & Emmanuelle Dupont & Mario Cools, 2021. "Assessing the Willingness to Use Personal e-Transporters (PeTs): Results from a Cross-National Survey in Nine European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Draženko Glavić & Ana Trpković & Marina Milenković & Sreten Jevremović, 2021. "The E-Scooter Potential to Change Urban Mobility—Belgrade Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-29, May.
    4. LE BOENNEC, Rémy & SALLADARRE, Frédéric, 2023. "Investigating the use of privately-owned micromobility modes for commuting in four European countries," MPRA Paper 119202, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Mohammad Anwar Alattar & Caitlin Cottrill & Mark Beecroft, 2021. "Sources and Applications of Emerging Active Travel Data: A Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, June.
    6. Morteza Hossein Sabbaghian & David Llopis-Castelló & Alfredo García, 2023. "A Safe Infrastructure for Micromobility: The Current State of Knowledge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    7. Xavier Bach & Carme Miralles-Guasch & Oriol Marquet, 2023. "Spatial Inequalities in Access to Micromobility Services: An Analysis of Moped-Style Scooter Sharing Systems in Barcelona," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
    8. Elena Carrara & Rebecca Ciavarella & Stefania Boglietti & Martina Carra & Giulio Maternini & Benedetto Barabino, 2021. "Identifying and Selecting Key Sustainable Parameters for the Monitoring of e-Powered Micro Personal Mobility Vehicles. Evidence from Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-22, August.
    9. Steve O’Hern & Nora Estgfaeller & Amanda N. Stephens & Sergio A. Useche, 2021. "Bicycle Rider Behavior and Crash Involvement in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, March.
    10. Franklin Oliveira & Dilan Nery & Daniel G. Costa & Ivanovitch Silva & Luciana Lima, 2021. "A Survey of Technologies and Recent Developments for Sustainable Smart Cycling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-28, March.
    11. Samira Dibaj & Aryan Hosseinzadeh & Miloš N. Mladenović & Robert Kluger, 2021. "Where Have Shared E-Scooters Taken Us So Far? A Review of Mobility Patterns, Usage Frequency, and Personas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-27, October.
    12. Yuanyuan Guo & Linchuan Yang & Wenke Huang & Yi Guo, 2020. "Traffic Safety Perception, Attitude, and Feeder Mode Choice of Metro Commute: Evidence from Shenzhen," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-20, December.
    13. Karina Hermawan & Diem-Trinh Le, 2022. "Examining Factors Influencing the Use of Shared Electric Scooters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    14. Georgia Ayfantopoulou & Josep Maria Salanova Grau & Zisis Maleas & Alexandros Siomos, 2022. "Micro-Mobility User Pattern Analysis and Station Location in Thessaloniki," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, May.
    15. Alberica Domitilla Bozzi & Anne Aguilera, 2021. "Shared E-Scooters: A Review of Uses, Health and Environmental Impacts, and Policy Implications of a New Micro-Mobility Service," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    16. Stefania Boglietti & Benedetto Barabino & Giulio Maternini, 2021. "Survey on e-Powered Micro Personal Mobility Vehicles: Exploring Current Issues towards Future Developments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-34, March.
    17. Maximilian Heumann & Tobias Kraschewski & Tim Brauner & Lukas Tilch & Michael H. Breitner, 2021. "A Spatiotemporal Study and Location-Specific Trip Pattern Categorization of Shared E-Scooter Usage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-24, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4233-:d:1081980. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.