The rising popularity of electric scooters has brought with it a concerning trend: a significant number of riders are operating these vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leading to severe injuries and increased healthcare costs.
A recent study published in the journal The American Surgeon found that approximately 25% of people injured in electric scooter accidents were intoxicated at the time of their incident. Researchers analyzed records of more than 7,300 people injured in scooter crashes between 2016 and 2021, revealing an alarming eightfold increase in annual scooter-related hospitalizations during this period, with over 2,700 hospitalizations occurring in 2021 alone.
"In today's landscape of rapidly growing scooter use, our study highlights how substance use among riders has played a significant role in the rise of severe, costly, and largely preventable injuries," said senior researcher Dr. Areti Tillou, a trauma surgeon and vice chair for education in the UCLA Department of Surgery.
Alcohol Use Significantly Increases Injury Risk
Of the injured riders studied, more than 16% of adults had been drinking alcohol. The research demonstrated that impaired riders faced nearly double the risk of concussion or brain injury compared to those who weren't under the influence. Additionally, hospital treatment costs for intoxicated riders averaged $4,600 higher per patient.
These findings align with a separate study from North Dakota State University, published in Injury Prevention, which documented a tripling of injuries from "micromobility" devices—from approximately 23,000 in 2019 to nearly 66,000 by 2022. The research team, led by Associate Professor Akshaya Bhagavathula, found that alcohol was implicated in 327 of all e-scooter and e-bike injuries examined, while other substance use was involved in 116 cases, and both alcohol and substance use were factors in 39 incidents.
Young Males at Highest Risk
Both studies identified young males as the demographic most likely to be involved in e-scooter accidents. The North Dakota State research found that 80% of males involved in e-scooter or e-bike injuries were white and between the ages of 18 to 39.
"Younger individuals are more likely to be intoxicated, and this impairs their mental and physical health, leading them to engage in risky activities while riding these micromobility devices that can result in injuries," the researchers noted.
The studies also revealed that legs and heads were the most common body parts injured in alcohol-related e-scooter accidents, highlighting the importance of protective gear.
Safety Recommendations and Public Health Concerns
Dr. Tillou emphasized the urgent need for stronger safety measures: "As urban centers continue to expand shared micromobility systems, the growing prevalence of substance use among scooter riders raises serious concerns about rider safety. These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen safety regulations, enforce helmet use, and reduce substance use among scooter riders to prevent injuries and promote safer, more sustainable urban transportation."
Safety experts recommend several precautions for e-scooter riders:
- Never ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Always wear a helmet
- Follow road rules
- Maintain appropriate speeds
- Ride defensively, watching for hazards like potholes
- Alert others to your presence when passing
Professor Bhagavathula's team emphasized that driving while intoxicated remains illegal regardless of the vehicle type: "There is a need to enforce the law against the use of alcohol and substance use among these adolescents," particularly given the rising injury rates.
Growing Public Health Challenge
The dramatic increase in e-scooter injuries represents an emerging public health challenge as these vehicles become increasingly common in urban environments. With hospital emergency departments already seeing the impact of this trend, public health officials and urban planners are facing pressure to develop more effective safety regulations and educational campaigns.
As e-scooters continue to grow in popularity as an affordable and environmentally friendly transportation option, balancing accessibility with safety remains a critical challenge for communities nationwide. The research suggests that addressing the issue of intoxicated riding could significantly reduce the burden of injuries associated with these increasingly ubiquitous vehicles.
