Oral and maxillofacial injuries from electric scooters in Bristol: a retrospective observational study

Abstract

The ‘Voi’ (Voi Technology) electric scooter (e-scooter) pilot scheme was initiated in Southwest England on 29 October 2020.The aim of this study was to describe the patient demographic and patterns of oral and maxillofacial injuries related to the use of e-scooters in the Bristol area, to target public safety interventions at high-risk groups. Data were collected retrospectively from patients attending the Bristol Royal Infirmary Emergency Department (ED) over a six-month period. A total of 42 patients attending the ED had the search term ‘scooter’ in their initial presenting complaint.The majority of patients (n = 35) were discharged without follow up, with only three requiring admission to oral and maxillofacial surgery. Overall trauma injuries related to e-scooters increased incrementally over the study period.Only two patients were reported to be wearing a helmet at the time of injury, versus one fifth not wearing one. More worryingly, 33% of injured users were intoxicated.The majority of injured patients appeared to be young males (n = 33, median age 26 years). Understanding the local epidemiology of e-scooter injuries will help authorities target public safety interventions at high-risk groups. The results of this study will be shared with the West of England Combined Authority, to improve future e-scooter policy-making and safety implementation in this region.