The scenario is becoming more prevalent in emergency rooms: an electric scooter accident results in the arrival of young individuals, adults, and even children. In an alarming number of instances, what appeared to be a straightforward urban commute concludes in the operating room.
The warning is not derived from institutional campaigns or chilly statistics. It originates from within a hospital. Additionally, the message is unambiguous.
“We are observing injuries that are of a severe nature.”
The Head of the Neurosurgery Department at Alicante General Hospital, Dr. Víctor Fernández, has issued a public warning in a video that has been shared on social media. He elaborates, “We are witnessing an extraordinary rise in the number of electric scooter accidents.” Additionally, these are not small occurrences.
They specialise in the treatment of the most grievous traumatic brain injuries. Patients who are frequently referred from other facilities due to the severity of their injuries. “We have over four patients, including children, who are currently admitted with intracranial haemorrhages and skull fractures,” he explains.
Misuse, speed, and the absence of a headgear
The issue, according to the expert, is not solely the vehicle itself, but rather its utilisation. Scooters are capable of reaching velocities of 20 to 30 kilometres per hour. An impact at that velocity, particularly in the absence of sufficient protection, can have catastrophic repercussions.
He cautions that head injuries can be severe if they are sustained while donning helmets of inferior quality or no helmet at all. In numerous instances, passengers also violate traffic laws or travel in unauthorised areas, which substantially elevates the risk.
An alarming increase in the number of accidents
Car or motorcycle accidents were the primary cause of severe injuries for many years. Nevertheless, the circumstances have evolved. The neurosurgeon emphasises that there has been an exponential rise in the number of accidents involving electric bicycles.
Healthcare professionals are particularly concerned about this trend, as they are witnessing an increase in the number of incidents of this nature, despite the fact that the perception of risk among users remains minimal.
The discussion of the consequences is the most challenging aspect of the message. The physician acknowledges, “We have already experienced a significant number of fatalities.”
Real incidents that occur in intensive care units, operating rooms, and, in the most severe cases, irreversible outcomes are the foundation of each statistic.
A gesture that can have a profound impact
When confronted with this situation, specialists underscore the importance of fundamental measures that can prevent the loss of life. It is not merely an additional precaution to wear a high-quality headgear. The doctor himself has stated that it is “the sole genuine barrier between a scare and irreversible brain injury.”
Furthermore, it is imperative to adhere to traffic regulations, reduce speed, and utilise designated lanes.
An opportune notification
Urban mobility has undergone a transformation in recent years, and electric scooters have become a prevalent choice in numerous cities. However, this transformation necessitates an adjustment in their utilisation.
The hospital’s message is intended to prevent rather than to alarm. Because those who are confronted with the repercussions on a daily basis are aware that numerous of these injuries could have been prevented.
In numerous instances, the distinction is attributable to a decision that was made prior to boarding the scooter.
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