RACQ and RBWH Foundation are urging electric scooter riders to give themselves extra time to get to work, as new data reveals more crashes are occurring on the morning commute, compared to on the way home.
The data forms part of a larger e-scooter injury research project being funded by RACQ and the RBWH Foundation through the Jamieson Trauma Institute (JTI).
RACQ’s Principal Technical Researcher Andrew Kirk said the figures provided by the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations Workers Compensation Regulator, suggest some people are rushing to work and significantly increasing their chance of crashing.
“The data shows 36% of e-scooter crashes are occurring on the way to work and 29% are happening on the way home. It also revealed Tuesdays are the most common day for an e-scooter crash,” Mr Kirk explained.
“More and more people are using e-scooters as part of their daily commute and while they’re a great mode of transport, people need to remember how dangerous they can be.
“We all know how easy it is to run out of time in the morning and we’re often scrambling to get into the office or wherever we may need to be.
“No one wants to be in a crash on their way to work, so you don’t take risks. Make sure you’re allowing extra time for your commute or accept that it’s better to be a couple minutes late than seriously injure yourself and end up in hospital.”
JTI Researcher Professor Kirsten Vallmuur said the data showed workers compensation claims for e-scooter crashes had tripled over the past three years.
“There were 421 e-scooter-related workers compensation claims made between December 2018 and October 2022. An average of almost 16 claims were made every month in 2022, up from less than five per month in 2019,” Professor Vallmuur said.
“The majority of compensation claims were made by males, the most common age group of claimants was 25 to 34 year olds (35%), followed by 35 to 44 year olds (26%). If you’re riding an e-scooter to work make sure you’re well versed in the road rules, stick to the speed limits and wear the correct protective equipment.”
The RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske said trauma research funding was critical if the community and policy makers were to be kept fully informed about emerging risks, such as those posed by e-scooters, in a timely fashion.
“Thanks to RBWH Foundation donors and our partnership with RACQ much needed funding has been provided to researchers so they can review data and compile statistics which provide life-saving insights.” said Ms Garske.
To support life-saving trauma research, such as this, email Director of Philanthrophy and Development, Nadeyn Barbieri, at n.barbieri@rbwhfoundation.com.au; or donate today.
