Study finds 36% of e-scooter related accidents involve alcohol, while helmet use declines 

The study analysed patients presenting with e-scooter-related facial injuries for two 10-month periods before and after the passing of the legislation, which classified e-scooters as 'personal powered transporters'. File picture: Getty 

The presence of alcohol and drugs in people involved in falls and collisions from e-scooters has doubled, while helmet use has decreased since e-scooters were legalised for public roads last year, according to new research.

Doctors at one of Dublin’s largest hospitals found that there has been no significant reduction in injury incidence, or severity of injury, or adoption of protective measures — such as helmet use and avoidance of intoxicants — since the reform allowing e-scooters on public roads was introduced in May 2024.

Instead, overall injury rates are continuing to increase, due to the growing popularity of e-scooters, although fewer related injuries have been recorded among people under 16 years.

The research, by doctors at the National Maxillofacial Unit at St James’s Hospital, also revealed that alcohol or some other substance had been consumed by the victims of an e-scooter-related injury in 36% of cases since the passing of the legislation, compared to 18% beforehand.

As a result of the study’s findings, the researchers recommend that mandatory safety training or educational modules be implemented as a prerequisite for use of e-scooters.

The study analysed patients presenting with e-scooter-related facial injuries for two 10-month periods before and after the passing of the legislation, which classified e-scooters as “personal powered transporters”.

The law requires users to be over 16 years and to adhere to a maximum speed limit of 20kmh, although the use of helmets is not mandatory.

The study, which is published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, highlighted how e-scooter-related injuries rose from 1.7% of all facial trauma presentations at St James’s Hospital to 2.5% since the use of e-scooters on public roads was legalised.

Rates of admission to hospital of such patients have also increased, from 31% to 36%, with an associated rise in the number of related surgical procedures.

The use of helmets by patients with e-scooter-related facial injuries declined from 23% to 18% over the same period.

Prior to the legislation being introduced, most injuries occurred between 4pm and 7pm.

Since the passing of the legislation, however, more than half of all cases have taken place between 7pm and 6am, of which more than half reported having consumed alcohol at the time.

In contrast, the lowest frequency of injuries occurred during the busy commuter period of 6am-9am.

The researchers said such findings highlighted the critical need to tailor public health and safety interventions to periods of elevated risk.

“Infrastructure improvements — such as enhanced street lighting — and targeted public awareness campaigns focused on evening and night-time riders may offer substantial benefits in reducing both the frequency and severity of e-scooter-related injuries,” they added.