Oral and maxillofacial injuries associated with e-scooter use at Broomfield Hospital: a cohort study of 24 months of data since e-scooter legalisation in the UK

Understanding e-scooter rider crash severity using a built environment typology: A two-stage clustering and random parameter model analysis

E-scooters are an emerging transport mode that is transforming urban mobility; however, their proliferation has raised concerns about safety. This study combines UK e-scooter crash data with built environment characteristics from the crash locations. A two-stage framework was followed: first, a typology of built environments was developed using K-means++; second, crash severity within each cluster was analysed using a random parameter binary logit model. Four built environment clusters were identified: (1) car-centric and mixed-use zones, (2) commercial and industrial zones, (3) intersection-dense areas, and (4) residential and central areas. Collisions with motor vehicles, younger e-scooter riders, and higher speed limits were the most common risk factors across the clusters, with the first two clusters showing a higher impact of these factors on the likelihood of severe crashes. In the first and second clusters, riding on the carriageway significantly increased injury severity. In the second cluster, three collision types were significant, more than in other clusters where only side-impact collisions were significant. This indicates high e-scooter-motor vehicle friction in the second cluster. Among all collision types, head-on collisions increased the likelihood of severe outcomes more than others. In the third and fourth clusters, peak hours were associated with a lower likelihood of severe crashes, while this variable showed the opposite impact in the first cluster. The results highlight that consideration of the surrounding built environment is paramount when analysing e-scooter crash severity, as unique contributing factors were identified specific to each built environment type, along with varying magnitudes or directions of marginal effects.

Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland

The increasing use of e-scooters globally has resulted in a rise in traffic-related injuries, particularly maxillofacial trauma. This study assesses the potential impact of legislative measures, specifically speed limits and night-time usage restrictions, on reducing maxillofacial injuries from e-scooter accidents. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from patients treated for e-scooter-related injuries at Helsinki University Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023. The study included 1275 patients, aged ≥ 16 years, treated in three trauma hospitals. Patients not riding e-scooters at the time of injury were excluded. Injury patterns and the influence of legislative measures were analyzed. Among the 1275 patients, 169 (13.3%) sustained maxillofacial injuries. Legislative restrictions were associated with a significant reduction in maxillofacial injuries, with up to an 88% decrease in some months. Predictors of maxillofacial injuries included older age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.08), alcohol intoxication (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5-5.8), and concurrent head and neck injuries (OR 12.1, 95% CI 5.8-25.2). Legislative restrictions on e-scooter use, including speed limits and nighttime riding bans, were associated with a significant reduction in maxillofacial injuries. These findings highlight the importance of targeted policies to mitigate injury risks associated with e-scooter use.

Electric scooter-related oral and maxillofacial injuries in Oxfordshire

Electric scooters (e-scooters) are becoming increasingly popular amongst the public. Oxfordshire is included as part of the government led e-scooter trial. This study was designed to evaluate maxillofacial injuries occurring following e-scooter accidents. A single-centre retrospective study was conducted from October 2022 to September 2023 reviewing all e-scooter-related maxillofacial injuries which presented to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. During the study period, forty-nine patients (mean [range] age 28 [13-48] years; 32 [65.3%] male) suffered maxillofacial injuries from riding an e-scooter. Twenty patients (40.8%) were under the influence of alcohol and no individual was recorded to have worn a helmet at the time the injury occurred. Ten patients (20.4%) suffered a facial fracture (two mandibular fractures, three zygomatic-orbital fractures, one nasal fracture, and four patients with multiple fractures involving the sphenoid, zygomatic-orbital, and maxillary sinus). Four (40%) of these facial fractures required surgical management. This included one patient with an orbital floor fracture and an associated inferior rectus entrapment, which is a surgical emergency. Thirty-three patients (67.3%) sustained facial lacerations and nine patients (18.4%) sustained dental trauma. Maxillofacial injuries occurring from e-scooter injuries are significant and pose a notable risk to safety. Our study highlights poor compliance and emphasises the need to improve safety through public education, focussing on sobriety. Considerations should be given to speed limitations, safety clothing, e-scooter training, and whether helmets should be mandatory. The Oxfordshire trial is due to end in May 2026 and our results can inform and influence future legislation.

E-scooter-related dental injuries: a two-year retrospective review

Introduction In June 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) published guidance on electric scooter (e-scooter) use to ease transport congestion and reduce pollution. This study aims to examine dental injuries sustained during the two years following initiation of the trial.Methods The research was conducted at a UK, Level 1, supra-regional major trauma centre. All eligible patient records were analysed to identify e-scooter-related dental injuries to the following regions: teeth, periodontium, alveolus, palate, tongue, floor of mouth, frenum, buccal mucosa and lips. To assess significant associations between recorded variables, a Pearson's chi-square test was utilised.Results Of the 32 patients who experienced a total of 71 dental injuries, 46.5% (n = 33) affected teeth, predominantly upper central incisors (n = 17). 'Lacerations' (n = 32) and 'lips' (n = 30) were the most common type and site of soft tissue injuries, respectively. Unprovoked falls by riders accounted for 53.1% (n = 17) of the injuries. There was an overall increase in e-scooter-related dental injuries throughout the two-year period.Conclusion E-scooters have introduced an additional source of dental trauma. It is imperative health care professionals can also identify signs of head and non-dental injuries when managing such patients. Further studies are warranted allowing for better informed and optimised dental public health interventions.

Incidence and distribution of injuries associated with e-scooter use: a radiological perspective

OBJECTIVES

To investigate electric scooter (e-scooter)-associated radiological injury incidence and distribution of injuries.

METHODS

Retrospective cross-sectional study of radiological examinations related to e-scooter injuries at a major trauma centre in a small university city. The hospital radiology information system was searched for terms related to e-scooters between January 1, 2015, and October 31, 2022. E-scooter use was confirmed by review of the patients' electronic medical records. Specific injuries were divided based on site of injury using the Injury Severity Scale categorized groups.

RESULTS

A total of 568 radiological studies related to e-scooter injuries were identified on 340 distinct patients (56% male, with an average age of 28 years). Peak incidence of e-scooter-related injuries was seen in the summer months, after a local scooter sharing system was introduced in October 2020. A total of 149 patients had radiologically diagnosed injuries, with extremity injuries being most frequent (80%). Facial (8%), head/neck (8%), and thorax/abdomen (4%) were less common. Radial head fractures were the most common injury (n = 27). Thirteen patients had multiple sites of injury, four of which had both upper limb and facial bone fractures described.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a significant increase in radiological investigations and injuries in the context of e-scooter injuries, particularly since the introduction of an e-scooter sharing scheme. This study informs radiologists on common locations of injuries when reporting studies of patients that have had e-scooter-related injuries.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This is the first UK-based study providing a comprehensive radiological perspective of the impact of e-scooter use and associated distribution of injuries, adding important data for many cities that are currently undertaking review of their e-scooter sharing schemes.

Injury severity analysis of single-vehicle and two-vehicle crashes with electric scooters: A random parameters approach with heterogeneity in means and variances

In recent years, the electric scooter has become one of the most popular means of transportation on short trips. Due to the lag in the formulation of transportation policies and regulations, coupled with the increasing number of electric scooter crashes, there has been growing concern about the safety of pedestrians and electric scooter riders. For the first time in the extant literature, this study aims to analyze injury severity of electric scooter crashes by unobserved heterogeneity modeling approaches. A random parameters approach with heterogeneity in means and variances is utilized to examine the factors influencing injury severity, using data collected from the STATS19 road safety database. Electric scooter crashes are classified as single-vehicle crashes and two-vehicle crashes, with injury severity categorized into two groups: fatalities or serious injuries, and slight injuries. The model estimation was conducted by considering several variables including roadway, environment, temporality, vehicle, and rider characteristics, as well as second-party vehicle and driver characteristics and manners of collision specific to two-vehicle crashes. The results of the model estimation reveal that certain factors had relatively stable effects with the varying degree of crash injury severity outcomes in both single-vehicle crashes and two-vehicle crashes. These factors include nighttime incidents, weekdays, male riders, and an increase in rider age, all of which are associated with more severe injury outcomes. Moreover, the random parameters logit model with heterogeneity in means and variances is more flexible in accounting for unobserved heterogeneity and exhibits better goodness of fit. This study improves the understanding of electric scooter safety, and the finding can better inform public policy regarding electric scooter use to improve road safety and reduce injury severity of electric scooter crashes.

Characteristics of E-Scooter-Related Maxillofacial Injuries over 2019-2022-Retrospective Study from Poznan, Poland

Recently, there has been a considerable rise in the popularity and use of electric scooters. Because of this, the number of accidents involving them has also risen. Head and neck injuries are the most common. The aim of the study was to determine the most frequent craniofacial injuries resulting from accidents involving electric scooters, and to identify the risk factors directly related to their placement and severity. The study carried out a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients of the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery over 2019-2022, in terms of craniofacial injuries suffered as a result of e-scooter-related accidents. In the study population (31 cases), of which 61.3% were men, the median age was 27 years. At the time of the accident, 32.3% patients were under the influence of alcohol. Accidents were most common in the 21-30 age group; more often than not, they occurred during warm months and on weekends. The study identified a total of 40 fractures in the patients. The most common craniofacial injuries were mandibular fractures (37.5%), zygomatic-orbital fractures (20%) and frontal bone fractures (10%). A multidimensional correspondence analysis was also performed, which showed that at an age of under 30, alcohol consumption and female gender were associated with a higher likelihood of mandibular fracture. Proper education on the risks associated with the use of e-scooters is essential, with particular emphasis on the impact of alcohol on the driver. It is important to develop diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for doctors, both in ED and in specialised departments.