688 Burden of Trauma from Electric Scooter Related Accidents in Central Birmingham: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Abstract Aim The Department of Transport deployed an e-scooter rental trial in multiple cities across the UK in 2020. Despite its environmental incentive, this trial has sparked safety concerns as national statistics have shown >1,900 casualties in e-scooter collisions since 2020, including 15 fatalities. This study aims to assess the volume and type of e-scooter related injuries presenting to an inner-city Trauma and Orthopaedic (T&O) department. Method A retrospective study was conducted to identify all patients referred to the T&O department at a large trauma unit with e-scooter related injuries over the 2 years prior and 2 years after introduction of the Birmingham e-scooter rental scheme in October 2020. Results A total of 72 patients were identified with e-scooter related injuries, 4 of whom were pedestrians, median age 22 (range 2-86) years and 74% (n = 53) were male. Majority (74%, n = 53) had sustained limb fractures, of which 49% (n = 26) were long bone fractures and 11% (n = 6) were open fractures. The remaining 26% consisted of soft tissue trauma (18%), head injuries (0.07%), and spinal injuries (0.01%). Surgical management was undertaken in 78% (n = 56) of all patients. Majority of injuries (87.5%) occurred after the rental scheme was introduced. Conclusions The incidence of significant injuries to riders and pedestrians has increased since the introduction of the rental e-scooter scheme, which may result in further financial strain on the health service nationally. A review of e-scooter safety measures and their enforcement should be undertaken before any future legislation of this scheme.