Townsville Hospital’s daily e-scooter injuries mostly involve drunk riders, data finds
New data being collected at Townsville Hospital shows high rates of e-scooter accidents being recorded in the city — and the injuries have one thing in common.
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More than 75 per cent of injured e-scooter riders being treated at Townsville Hospital are intoxicated, new data shows, with around one rider rushed to the emergency department every day.
New data being collected at Townsville University Hospital has revealed the high rates of e-scooter accidents being recorded in the city since they were rolled in 2020.
Emergency Department staff specialist Dr Graeme Maw, who is conducting research into the impacts of e-scooters, said about one person a day presents to the hospital with scooter-related injuries.
Data shows there have been 111 presentations to the emergency department relating to e-scooters since the start of the year.
About half of those patients were not wearing a helmet, and more than 75 per cent were riding while intoxicated.
‘‘We are currently reviewing ED presentation data for e-scooter presentations because while they can cause minor injuries, we know all too well that a serious incident on an e-scooter can have a lifelong impact on someone’s health,” Dr Maw said.
“We hope our findings will better inform the community of the dangers associated with riding an e-scooter, particularly with no helmet, at high speeds, or under the influence of alcohol.
“Accidents involving electric scooters can result in broken bones, scrapes or cuts. However, they can also result in some major trauma, such as dangerous and potentially life-threatening head injuries.”
Dr Maw is urging Townsvillians, if they decide to jump on an e-scooter, to do so safely.
“It’s easy for a quick decision to turn wrong, and for people, It’s important anyone who jumps on an e-scooter wears their helmet, avoids using their phone while moving, and does not drink and ride.
“It’s so easy for a quick decision to turn wrong and for people who were otherwise having a great time to end up as a trauma patient in the hospital. We would prefer everyone makes it home safe and sound.”
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