Calls for speed limiters or mandated helmet use after research into injuries at three paediatric trauma centres<\/p>\n
The number of children involved in crashes on e-scooters has soared in recent years, with some as young as nine involved in collisions, research has found.<\/p>\n
Researchers carried out a review of injuries among the under-16s at three specialist paediatric trauma centres \u2013 Alder Hey in Liverpool, and Sheffield and Royal Manchester children\u2019s hospitals \u2013 between January 2019 and December 2024.<\/p>\n
They found the average age of those involved in e-scooter collisions was 12, and almost 65% of those injured were male. The most common injuries were to the limbs, followed by head and facial injuries. Fewer than 2% of patients had been wearing a helmet.<\/p>\n
Half of the children injured were between 10 and 13 years old, with the youngest only nine. The three hospitals had recorded a total of 477 e-scooter injuries, with a significant increase in numbers since 2019.<\/p>\n
More than 80% of the injuries were sustained on private e-scooters, which can only be ridden legally on private land. The majority of the accidents had happened on public land, roads and parks.<\/p>\n
Up to 1.2 million people in England are believed to privately own e-scooters, which are available to buy from many high street retailers. \u201cClearly, reporting these accidents is important to influence and change policy,\u201d the researchers told the Emergency Medicine journal, adding: \u201cThere must also be an onus on retailers to clearly advise customers of the law, and policymakers to regulate private e-scooters, such as with speed limiters, or mandate helmet use.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rented e-scooter are legal to ride on public roads. The rider must be 16 years old or older and hold at least a provisional driving licence. Rental scooters are typically speed limited to 15mph, and companies must have appropriate insurance.<\/p>\n
In June, a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was sentenced to a youth referral order and a driving ban, after earlier pleading guilty to causing the death of his friend Jacob Calland, 14, who was a passenger on the back of his e-scooter when it collided with a car in Wythenshawe, Manchester.<\/p>\n
After her son\u2019s death, Carly Calland launched Jacob\u2019s Journey, a campaign that aims to raise awareness about dangerous e-scooter use and the legalities around riding them.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo words will ever be able to describe the pain caused by Jacob\u2019s death,\u201d she told the court in a statement as his friend was sentenced. \u201cMy heart has been smashed into a thousand pieces and there is nothing that can be done to fix it. My life is a living nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n
DC Steve Pennington from Greater Manchester Police\u2019s serious collision investigation unit said: \u201cE-scooters are not harmless toys and they can lead to horrific consequences when used by inexperienced riders and without the due care required. I would urge parents to check what their children are using and to ensure they are educated about the risks of using them on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: \u201cThese are concerning findings, and our thoughts are with anyone who has been injured on our roads. It is illegal for private e-scooters to be used on roads, pavements or in other public spaces, including by under-16s, and we\u2019re bringing forward new laws to make their use safe and legal, including consulting on requirements like helmets.\u201d<\/p>\n