Comparative analysis of accident mechanisms and injury patterns of e-moped, and e-scooter operators

Objective

To compare accident-related injuries and degree of risk for operators/riders of e-mopeds and e-scooters.

Methods

A retrospective medical charts review in a tertiary medical center was performed. All individuals aged 13 years and older who were referred to a single tertiary referral center after 2 wheels vehicle injury were enrolled. Demographics, injury type, imaging, surgeries, hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay, mortality, helmet use and hour and day of injury were recorded and analyzed.

Results

A total of 2429 patients were enrolled (1095 e-moped and 1334 e-scooter operators/riders). The mean (±standard deviation) age for operators/riders was 31.5 (±11.7) years. There was a male preponderance in both groups (70.8 % and 60.3 % in the e-moped and e-scooter operators/riders, respectively). Helmet use was poor, with an overall usage rate of 39.7 % among all riders. E-moped operators/riders were more commonly hospitalized in the intensive care unit (1.5 %) than e-scooter operator/riders (0.6 %), p = 0.039. E-moped operators/riders had significantly fewer injuries (35.7 %) compared to e-scooter operators/riders (42.4 %), p < 0.001. E-Scooters were associated with significantly more face and upper extremity injuries compared to e-moped (9.0 % and 23.9 % compared to 5.8 % and 19.4 %, respectively, p = 0.003 and 0.008, respectively). Chest and abdomen injuries were more common in the e-moped operators/riders compared to the e-scooters operators/riders (4.4 % and 1.1 % compared to 2.1 % and 0.3 %, respectively, p = 0.002 and 0.021, respectively).

Conclusion

The data in this analysis indicated that e-Scooters are involved in a higher number of accidental injuries that tend to be less severe and result in fewer fatalities than those sustained by e-moped use. In contrast, e-mopeds were linked to more complex injuries, as reflected by higher hospitalization rates, ICU admissions and multi-level injuries among e-moped operators/riders. This finding also corresponded to a higher demand for imaging studies in the emergency department (ED). Additionally, our analysis of a relatively smaller cohort of helmeted versus non-helmeted patients reinforces the critical role of helmets in mitigating head and face injuries.