E-Scooter Dangers: Queensland Hospital Study Reveals Shocking Child Injury Rate

E-Scooter Injuries Spark Calls for Ban in Queensland A recent study from Sunshine Coast University Hospital reveals a shocking number of serious e-scooter injuries among children in Queensland, Australia. 176 serious injuries were recorded in just two years, with 10% of child victims sustaining life-threatening injuries. Parents and public health experts are now calling for urgent action. Angela Boldt, whose 12-year-old son Gavin suffered a horrific e-scooter accident, shared her harrowing experience. "If his scooter hadn't been going 50km/h, I think his accident would have been a little different." Gavin sustained a bleed on the brain and nearly died; he now has a permanent brain injury. The study also found that 36% of child victims suffered serious fractures, and a concerning 55% were not wearing helmets. Dr Matthew Clanfield, the lead author of the study, emphasized the risk-taking behavior of young riders as a primary concern. "If you asked anyone, 'Do you think a 12-year-old should be navigating a roundabout on an e-scooter with other cars present?' everyone's going to say no." Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, added, "Seeing these things speed at 60km/h or more is a real concern." The average age of injured riders was 14 years old, mostly males. This has led to calls for Queensland to urgently ban children under 16 from riding e-scooters without adult supervision, and nationally, there are calls for tamper-proof speed limits.