A recent study led by researchers from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) Reveaus worrying data on the increase in hospitalizations due to accidents with Electric skateboard in the USA.
Research, published in the scientific journal The American SurgeonIt emphasizes that, between 2016 and 2021, hospitalizations related to these lesions grew in alarming way, which reflects not only the growing use of these vehicles, but also the involvement of substances In these accidents.
According to the data analysis of the National Inpatient Sample7,350 hospitalization cases were identified due to injuries suffered while driving electric scooters. The most shocking thing is that, in just five years, hospitalizations increased from 330 in 2016 to 2,705 in 2021, which represents an increase of more than 700%.
This increase is framed in the accelerated growth of the adoption of Electric skateboard as an alternative means of transport, especially in areas urban.
In addition, the study identified that one in four patients hospitalized by accidents with electric scooters He had consumed some substance as alcohol, opioids, marihuana o cocaine At the time of the accident.
One of the most worrying findings of the study is the relationship between the consumption of substances and the severity of the lesions. The data showed that the patients who had consumed drug o alcohol They had almost double probability of suffering Traumatic brain injuries compared to those who were not intoxicated.
Las Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) They are particularly dangerous and may have long -term consequences, such as cognitive and neurological problems.
In addition, the study revealed that accidents related to the consumption of substances They generate a higher cost for the health system. On average, the hospital expenses By patient they increased by $ 4,600 when the consumption of substances.
“The rapid expansion of the use of scooters has brought with it a considerable increase in serious injuries, and the consumption of substances He is playing a key role in this phenomenon. The injuries related to the consumption of alcohol y drug They are mostly preventable, and it is essential that measures mitigate these risks, “said the doctor Areti tillouvice president of the department of Surgery of UCLA and main author of the study.
-Tillou also stressed that the data only include patients who required hospitalizationso it is likely that the real injury rate is even greater.
The rise of systems of Shared micromobilitylike the electric scootershas facilitated its use in large cities of all the world. Urban areas such as New York, Los Angeles And many others have seen an increase in the presence of these vehicles. However, as its use increases, so does the number of accidents y injuries associated
Los accidents con electric scooters They are not exclusive to USA. In many countries, including several in Latin Americathese vehicles have become a popular alternative for Urban mobility.
However, accelerated growth in this form of transport has been accompanied by a Insufficient infrastructurethe lack of Clear standards and scarce education about the safe use of these vehicles.
Faced with these alarming results, the study authors have made an urgent call to the adoption of public policies that can reduce the risks associated with the use of electric scooters.
Among the proposed measures are: Obligatory of the use of helmet, prevention campaigns against substance consumption, improvements in road infrastructure, greater regulation and control of the use of scooters in public areas.
“The implementation of these measures could have an important impact on the reduction of serious injuries and in improving road safety in our cities. It is essential that we work together to ensure that Urban mobility remain segura For all citizens, ”concluded the doctor Tillou.
The study underlines the importance of not only improving urban infrastructurebut also to address the social and behavioral factors that influence the safety of users of electric scooters.
The adoption of preventive measures It could be key to preventing the increase in these accidents Keep putting the health and the security of people.
