The growing popularity of electric scooters in urban environments has brought many benefits in terms of mobility. However, it has also led to a significant increase in the number of accidents linked to their use. These accidents can have serious consequences, ranging from minor injuries to serious lesions and even death.
By 2023, the number of deaths linked to the use of electric scooters in France has risen by 20%, from 35 in 2022 to 42, meaning that there is 1 death in France every 8 to 9 days linked to the use of an electric scooter.
Cette hausse intervient dans un contexte où la mortalité routière globale a diminué de 3%, avec 3 170 personnes tuées sur les routes.
Accidents involving electric scooters give cause for concern.
The figures show that users of electric scooters are particularly vulnerable in urban traffic, not least because they lack the physical protection afforded by motor vehicles.
The growing use of these machines has led to a significant increase in the number of serious accidents. These accidents often have a major impact on the daily lives of those affected, highlighting the vulnerability of scooter users on the public highway.
Injuries most frequently found among electric scooter users
- Head injuries: Head injuries, including concussions and skull fractures, are among the most serious and worrying injuries in the event of an electric scooter accident, especially if helmets are not worn.
- Facial injuries: Facial injuries, such as cuts, abrasions or facial fractures, can occur if the scooter falls or collides with obstacles.
- Fractures Sprains and dislocations: Fractures, such as fractures of the wrist, ankle, collarbone or other bones, are common in the event of a fall from a scooter or a collision with an object or another person. Shoulder and elbow dislocations are also common:
- Upper limb: Fractures of the clavicle, radius, ulna, scaphoid, metacarpals and fingers Dislocations of the shoulder and elbow Sprains of the shoulder, elbow and wrist
- Lower limb: fractures of the femur, tibia, fibula and foot bones dislocations of the knee and ankle sprains of the knee, ankle and foot
4. Bruises and abrasions: Contusions, bruises and abrasions are minor but common injuries resulting from a fall or contact with the ground or other hard surfaces.
Main causes
- Non-compliance with regulations: Ignorance of or non-compliance with traffic rules contributes to an increase in accidents.
- Inadequate infrastructure: The lack of dedicated infrastructure, such as safe cycle paths, increases the risk of accidents.
- Safety equipment: The low rate of helmet wearing and other protective equipment is an aggravating factor.
Recommended preventive measures
- Awareness-raising and training: Stepping up safety awareness campaigns and offering training to new users.
- Improving infrastructure: Developing a suitable, safe and well-maintained infrastructure for electric scooters.
- Legislation and controls: Adapt legislation to provide a better framework for the use of electric scooters and step up controls.
Conclusion
The increase in the number of accidents involving electric scooters in France in 2023 highlights the need to act quickly to improve user safety. This means a joint effort by the public authorities, scooter companies, users and health professionals to put in place effective measures to reduce the risk of accidents.
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