Alarmed by the growing number of electric scooter riders arriving at EDs with bumps, bruises and broken limbs, the American College of Emergency Physicians advises: “Scoot Safe!”
The ACEP launched the national campaign in late February.
The group, which represents more than 38,000 emergency physicians, said scooter riders are reporting to the emergency department with scrapes and cuts as well as broken ribs, arms and legs.
“Scooters are fun and convenient, but they can be very dangerous if you don’t ride them correctly or follow the rules of the road,” ACEP President Dr. Vidor Friedman said.
So the ACEP is sharing safety tips with riders including a one-minute video. The animated video cautions riders to not use their phones, listen to music or eat snacks while rolling along.
“Scooting takes both hands and all of your wits,” the video narrates. It also emphasizes wearing a helmet, calling it “the easiest and smartest thing you can do to avoid serious injury.”
A study recently published in JAMA Emergency Medicine found only 4.4% of riders injured on an electric scooter were wearing a helmet and 4.8% had a blood alcohol level greater than 0.05% or were thought to be intoxicated by a doctor.
Most of the injuries were head injuries (40.2%), fractures (31.7%) and soft-tissue injuries (27.7%).
The ACEP is using social media to promote the campaign.
