Riders of electric scooters could take additional risks by using them while under the influence of psychoactive substances.
- 9% of electric scooter users admitted to driving after consuming psychoactive substances.
- 7% observed drivers driving illegally on pedestrian lanes.
- 51.9% used an electric scooter with another passenger.
In recent years, electric scooters have invaded big cities. “Although there has been published literature on perceptions, risk behaviors and attitudes towards this small vehicle, research in the UK has focused on trauma analysis”, indicated scientists from the University of Birmingham (England). In a new study, they decided to identify common causes in order to draw conclusions about the factors affecting hospital admissions for injuries following road accidents involving e-scooters.
Drugs, alcohol: 9% of young people use electric scooters after using them
As part of their work, the researchers reviewed 13 relevant cohorts using strict selection criteria from more than 443 searches that mention electric scooters. Many data focused on safety issues, while others observed risky behaviors, non-driver perspectives, and infrastructure. At the same time, the team sent a questionnaire on the safety of using electric scooters in the West Midlands, a county in England, to road users. A total of 299 responses, mainly from young people aged 18 to 25, were received.
According to the results, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, risky behaviors mentioned in 10 studies included using a cell phone while driving, not wearing a helmet, riding an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Among the electric scooter drivers surveyed, 9% admitted to having driven after consuming psychoactive substances. According to the data, 7% observed users riding illegally on pedestrian paths, while only half of reported users admitted to using sidewalks. Another observation: 51.9% of participants used an electric scooter with another passenger.
“Well-maintained infrastructure could improve driver safety”
The majority of respondents, traveling primarily by car, said they felt electric scooters were not safe. They stressed the need to improve infrastructure. “Well-maintained infrastructure could improve the safety of e-scooter riders and vulnerable pedestrians, while education and enforcement of clear rules could reduce risky behavior. (…). We recommend that hospital data and Future studies distinguish between private and rental e-scooters so that solid conclusions can be drawn. the authors concluded.
