The number of child injuries caused by electric scooters and wheeled vehicles has risen sharply in Ukraine
With the arrival of warmer weather and the start of summer vacation in Ukraine, there has been a significant increase in the number of children visiting emergency rooms due to injuries sustained while riding electric scooters, bicycles, and motorcycles. In some hospitals, such cases already account for up to 30% of all visits.
This was reported by the press service of the National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt.”
The National Children’s Specialized Hospital Okhmatdyt reports that electric scooters have become one of the most common causes of hospitalization among minors. Medical staff have even recorded a fatal case.
Doctors explain that the high speed of this type of transportation leads to so-called high-energy injuries, which can have serious consequences even after falls that seem minor.
Doctors most often diagnose not only bruises or fractures, but also complex combined injuries that require long-term treatment and surgery. Among the most dangerous injuries are:
- traumatic brain injuries and intracranial hemorrhages
- spinal and thoracic injuries
- abdominal organ injuries
- multiple fractures and open wounds
Doctors emphasize that the main cause is a disregard for safety rules. Most children ride scooters without helmets or protective gear, often violate traffic rules, or ride in groups.
According to Alexander Mukhopad, head of the emergency room, even a simple fall at high speed can lead to serious consequences due to the unique characteristics of a child’s body.
Medical professionals emphasize that due to the lack of clear legal regulations regarding the use of electric vehicles, the responsibility for children’s safety largely falls on parents. Doctors urge parents to supervise their children’s leisure activities and ensure they use protective gear, particularly helmets.
As a reminder, Uber plans to offer electric bikes and electric scooters for rent in Kyiv if safe routes are established in the city.
