Friction Burns and the E-scooter: An Evolving Trend

Area of Science:

• Trauma and Injury Prevention
• Dermatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Electric scooters (e-scooters) are increasingly popular urban transport, raising concerns about rider safety.
• Existing regulations for e-scooters often focus on helmets, speed limits, and substance use, but enforcement is challenging.
• The maneuverability and speed of e-scooters can lead to significant trauma, including friction burns from collisions with road surfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the profile of friction burns associated with e-scooter use.
• To analyze demographic and injury data from e-scooter related burns treated in Western Australian burns units.
• To inform targeted injury prevention strategies for e-scooter riders.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for patients with e-scooter related friction burns.
• Data were collected from January 2019 to July 2023 across Western Australian burns units.
• Information gathered included patient demographics, injury details, abrasion characteristics, and management approaches.

Main Results:

• Thirty cases of e-scooter related friction burns were identified between 2019 and 2023.
• The majority of burns (76.7%) resulted from non-collision events, such as falls.
• Upper limbs were the most frequently affected body part (31.8%), with most burns being mid-dermal (63.3%) and involving less than 5% of total body surface area.

Conclusions:

• Friction burns represent an emerging injury pattern linked to the growing popularity of e-scooters.
• While typically not severe, these injuries necessitate focused injury prevention efforts.
• Further prospective research is recommended to better understand the circumstances leading to e-scooter related friction burns.