Clanfield Matthew, Sharman Isabelle
Department of Anaesthesiology, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Australia.
Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2025 Jun;49(3):100245. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100245. Epub 2025 Jun 3.
To retrospectively analyse paediatric electronic scooter (e-scooter) injuries presenting to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital by evaluating trauma severity and compliance with safety regulations to help inform policy discussions.
A retrospective review of paediatric e-scooter trauma presentations between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, was conducted using emergency department records. Data collected included demographics, incident mechanisms, helmet use, two persons riding one e-scooter "doubling", speed, imaging requirements and paediatric trauma scores.
A total of 176 cases were identified, with a median age of 14 years and 71% were male. Falls accounted for 78% of crashes, while 13% involved motor vehicles. Helmet non-compliance was documented in 42% of the presentations, 12% involved doubling, and 36% exceeded the 25 km/hr speed limit. Fractures occurred in 37% of cases, 18% required computerised tomography scans and 11% sustained life-threatening or potentially life-threatening injuries.
E-scooters pose a significant safety risk to paediatric users and this study highlights gaps in safety compliance.
This study highlights the high risk e-scooters pose to Queenland's youth. It is our belief that minimum age limit for e-scooters should be raised to 16 years old until improved safety measures prove effective. Dr Clanfield is currently engaging with the Queensland Government to advocate for policy review. This report's data helps to inform other doctors and policymakers about the dangers of e-scooter use in young people.
通过评估创伤严重程度和安全法规的遵守情况，对阳光海岸大学医院收治的儿童电动滑板车受伤情况进行回顾性分析，以辅助政策讨论。
利用急诊科记录，对2023年1月1日至2024年12月31日期间儿童电动滑板车创伤病例进行回顾性研究。收集的数据包括人口统计学信息、事故机制、头盔使用情况、两人共乘一辆电动滑板车的“叠乘”情况、速度、成像需求和儿童创伤评分。
共识别出176例病例，中位年龄为14岁，71%为男性。摔倒占碰撞事故的78%，13%涉及机动车。42%的病例记录有未遵守头盔佩戴规定的情况，12%涉及叠乘，36%超过了每小时25公里的速度限制。37%的病例发生骨折，18%需要进行计算机断层扫描，11%遭受危及生命或潜在危及生命的伤害。
电动滑板车对儿童使用者构成重大安全风险，本研究凸显了安全合规方面的差距。
本研究凸显了电动滑板车对昆士兰年轻人构成的高风险。我们认为，在改进的安全措施证明有效之前，电动滑板车的最低使用年龄应提高到16岁。克兰菲尔德博士目前正与昆士兰政府合作，倡导进行政策审查。本报告的数据有助于其他医生和政策制定者了解年轻人使用电动滑板车的危险。
