Two children were hospitalized in separate incidents in Toronto after being struck by vehicles while riding scooters, raising concerns about scooter safety for young riders.
In a recent incident, a 12-year-old child was hit while riding a scooter in Scarborough. The child, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
Another collision occurred in the Moss Park neighborhood, where a 10-year-old boy on a scooter was struck by a vehicle and also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Fortunately, the driver involved in this incident stayed at the scene.
These incidents highlight a growing issue of scooter-related injuries among children. A 2024 report from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) revealed a significant rise in emergency room visits due to e-scooter and e-bike accidents.
During June and July 2024, SickKids documented 16 e-scooter injuries, a drastic increase compared to the same period in 2023. The hospital’s data shows that e-scooters are responsible for the majority of battery-powered device-related injuries in children between 2021 and 2024, with a concerning number of injured children not wearing helmets.
Dr. Suzanne Beno, Medical Co-Director of the Trauma Program at SickKids, emphasized that factors like high speed, lack of helmet use, young age, and interactions with motor vehicles contribute to the risk of serious injury for children and youth involved in scooter accidents.
SickKids recommends that children refrain from using e-scooters altogether, while older youth should wear helmets, adhere to municipal regulations, and avoid riding in areas with heavy traffic.
Keyphrase: scooter safety concerns