Rising Road Accident Injuries Among Children: Medical Professionals Warn of Increased Risks During Summer Months
In a concerning development, child traffic accidents involving self-balancing scooters and pit bikes have significantly increased, primarily due to rising usage, lack of proper safety gear, and use in unsuitable environments.
According to a report by Alexei Nikonov, the chief editor of MIA "Stationary-press", a significant increase in the number of children injured in traffic accidents was reported in July. Specifically, in the U.S., injuries to children under 15 from electric scooters more than doubled to 17,641 in 2024, with many serious injuries involving head trauma due to lack of helmets and high speeds. Similar trends are seen in Canada, where e-scooter hospitalizations, including for children, have risen by 32% from 2022 to 2024.
The key causes of these accidents include children riding without helmets or appropriate protective gear and riding on streets not designed for such vehicles, leading to falls and collisions. The increased popularity and accessibility of electric scooters and similar micromobility devices contribute to this surge.
To mitigate these risks, safety measures strongly recommended include mandatory helmet use, age restrictions (e.g., minimum age of 16 advised by Canadian health experts), supervision for younger riders, and educating riders about speed control and traffic rules. Infrastructure improvements like dedicated lanes can also reduce risk by separating these vehicles from heavier traffic.
The statistics highlight a gender disparity with approximately 67.7% of electric scooter injuries in 2024 occurring in males. Globally, some regions show much higher accident rates; for example, New Zealand recorded 654 e-scooter accidents per million people compared to 20 per million in the U.S.
Pit bikes specifically are less cited in the search results, but given their off-road and often less regulated use, similar risks apply, especially when children ride unsupervised or without protective equipment. Parents and communities are advised to enforce helmet use and safe riding practices comprehensively for all types of micromobility vehicles.
The warning about the dangers of motorcycles, scooters, and electric scooters is a reminder from medical professionals. Riding these vehicles requires knowledge, experience, and a serious attitude towards the rules. Violating traffic rules is dangerous for one's life and health. Riding without a driver's license, helmet, and other protective gear is strictly prohibited.
In July, 81 children sought medical help due to traffic accidents, with 52 of them being hospitalized. 15 teenagers were injured due to improper use of self-balancing scooters, pit bikes, and similar vehicles. The location of the reported increase in child traffic accidents is not specified.
This report serves as a reminder for parents, guardians, and communities to ensure the safety of children when they are using these vehicles. It is crucial to educate children about the importance of safety gear, traffic rules, and responsible riding practices. By doing so, we can help reduce the number of child traffic accidents involving self-balancing scooters and pit bikes.
Science and health-and-wellness professionals are urging parents to prioritize their children's safety while using self-balancing scooters and fitness-and-exercise equipment like pit bikes. Proper safety gear and adherence to traffic rules are essential to preventing injuries during rides.
