Surge in number of people injured in e-scooter collisions
Accidents and injuries double as popularity of battery-powered transport soars among young adults
THE number of pedestrians injured in e-scooter accidents in Britain has surged this year, according to Government figures.
Records show 131 people were hurt in collisions with the two-wheelers in the year to June, compared to just 57 throughout the whole of 2020.
The figures from the Department for Transport come after a student warned of the dangers of new electric transport after an e-moped crash in Italy saw her almost lose her leg.
E-scooters can only legally be used in designated trial areas in the UK. People caught riding them on public roads or pavements can face a £300 fine and six points on their driving licence.
Yet, they have exploded in popularity during lockdown and are now a regular sight on Britain’s roads.
The figures show there have been 931 accidents involving e-scooters in the 12 months leading up to June this year.
However, in the last tranche of figures released by the Government, which were for the whole of last year, just 484 accidents were recorded. That suggests a large increase in the number of crashes in the first half of this year.
The figures also show the largest number of casualties were among those aged between 10 and 19, with 257 injured by e-scooters.
The second largest number of casualties was among those aged 20 to 29, with 217 people hurt.
The statistics revealed three e-scooter users were killed in crashes, including Shakur Pinnock, 20, who died in hospital in June, six days after he was involved in a crash with a car in Wolverhampton.
The figures do not distinguish between incidents involving e-scooters which were rented or privately owned.
Meanwhile, Eleanor Young, a Newcastle University modern languages student, is taking legal action after she almost lost a leg when her e-moped collided with a Smart car while she was on holiday in Rome in August last year.
The 21-year-old from Nettleham, near Lincoln, needed treatment for smashed teeth, a badly broken leg and a severed artery.
She was in intensive care in the Italian capital for five days and needed three operations before she was eventually flown home.
Investigations are continuing into the crash and Ms Young has appointed lawyers from the firm Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist rehabilitation that she needs.
Ms Young said: “I had to defer a year of university and had to move back home with my parents. I was unable to properly get out of the house for months and I felt very alone.
“Since August 2020, I’ve had eight surgeries on my leg and a surgical procedure in my mouth due to severe damage to my teeth.
“A lot of people, particularly younger people, think e-scooters and e-mopeds are fun.
“However, like any vehicle, they can lead to serious injuries,” she said.