E-scooter casualties on the rise in Humberside Police force area, new Department for Transport figures show

The number of injuries from e-scooters is on the rise in this area, new figures show.
There were recorded 12 casualties from e-scooter accidents in 2021. Photo: PA ImagesThere were recorded 12 casualties from e-scooter accidents in 2021. Photo: PA Images
There were recorded 12 casualties from e-scooter accidents in 2021. Photo: PA Images

E-scooters have become a popular method of travel in many towns and cities across the UK.

They have the potential to reduce pollution and provide a quick and easy mode of transport for those who cannot easily walk or cycle.

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But privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal on public roads, and critics say they are dangerous for riders and other road users.

Provisional figures from the Department for Transport show there were 12 casualties from e-scooter accidents in 2021 recorded by Humberside Police, up from two in 2020.

E-scooters are still only responsible for a small proportion of all traffic accidents, accounting for less than 1% of all road casualties last year.

As part of a planned Transport Bill announced earlier in May, the Government is considering legalising the use of private scooters on roads in the near future, and trials of rental scooters are already underway in 30 areas across the UK.

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Users themselves were far more likely to be hurt from these collisions than other road users, accounting for 76% of all e-scooter casualties across Great Britain. Pedestrians made up 16% and cyclists 5%, while car users only suffered 17 slight injuries from e-scooter accidents in 2021.

Lorna Stevenson, who researches e-scooters at the University of Westminster, said they could still help the UK meet its carbon targets.

She said: “Transport emits more carbon than any other sector in the UK. E-scooters don’t contribute to air or noise pollution – the biggest potential benefits from them come if people use them instead of driving for short, solo trips.”

Across Great Britain, the number of casualties from e-scooter collisions stood at 1,359 for 2021, nearly triple the 484 recorded the year before.

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The DfT notes that minor casualties may go unreported, so the true number of injuries may be higher.

A DfT spokesperson said: “We have set out clear regulations for users and rental providers on wearing helmets, speed limits and precautions to keep everyone safe.

“While riding a privately owned e-scooter on public land is currently illegal, we are considering how best to design future regulations.

“Our Transport Bill will enable us to take the steps we need to support innovation, robustly crack down on irresponsible use and make e-scooters safer.”