In Townsville, the increasing incidence of e-scooter injuries has led to much alarm from health professionals and civic leaders. Based on recent data, the public emergency department had 413 e-scooter injury presentations in 2024. This is up from the 265 injuries reported a year before. The shocking jump has happened less than a week after the devastating murder. An 18-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a collision on the Flinders Highway.
The young man in question had lived in Mount Louisa. Smith incurred life-threatening injuries in the collision and died at the hospital. The latest incident has ignited renewed calls for stricter safety regulations on e-scooters. Private users, who make up two-thirds of recent overdose-related hospital visits, are at the heart of this discussion.
Escalating E-Scooter Injuries
The data paints a dangerous picture of what is happening in Queensland, with e-scooter related injuries skyrocketing. Professor Kirsten Vallmuur, Chair of Trauma Surveillance and Data Analytics, noted that the majority of injured riders are private e-scooter users, who often travel at higher speeds and on roads.
“These riders are usually travelling at higher speeds and on roads, often for weekday work-related commutes, are regular riders and often wear helmets,” – Professor Kirsten Vallmuur.
Studies find that this population incurs worse injuries than riders on shared, private e-scooter. In Townsville, these sorts of e-scooters are legal for commercial use. Lead researcher Professor Vallmuur said the study’s findings underscore the need for greater public awareness of the dangers of e-scooter rides.
“They sustain more severe injuries and have a higher proportion requiring ambulances and admission to hospital,” – Professor Kirsten Vallmuur.
Calls for Stricter Safety Regulations
In reaction to the recent death, local leaders and public health officials are calling for stronger safety precautions. Dr. Michael Kane from the RACQT has been a loud supporter of mandatory full-faced helmets for private e-scooter users.
“RACQ has been advocating for full-faced helmets to be mandatory for people using private stand up e-scooters, and for hire scooters to transition to more stable sit-down models that have a lower centre of gravity,” – Dr. Michael Kane.
Dr. Kane’s observations come on the heels of medical professionals raising alarms about the state of injured e-scooter users. As Dr. Gary Mitchell made clear, these patients present tremendous challenges to their healthcare providers.
“We’re seeing patients coming in who’ve come off at higher speeds without helmets on board, with alcohol on board,” – Dr. Gary Mitchell.
Local Authorities Respond
Townsville’s acting mayor, Ann-Maree Greaney, said the council was devastated by the death of such a young rider. She called the crash an “unimaginable tragedy” and offered her thoughts and prayers to the family.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the young man who passed away this weekend,” – Ann-Maree Greaney.
The Forensic Crash Unit is now trying to piece together what led up to the crash. Look for a report to emerge by March 30 of next year. This might lead to further scrutiny of e-scooter policies across the rest of the state.
