GDV and Trauma Surgeons Warn of Rising Number of Serious E-Scooter Accidents Among Teenagers

Background: E-Scooters as a Trend Among Teenagers

At the same time, trauma surgeons are raising the alarm. Professor Rainer Wirtz, chief physician at a trauma surgery clinic, told several media outlets that severe traumatic brain injuries in young patients have particularly serious consequences. „Das unterbricht oft Lebensläufe. Das sind in allerster Linie jüngere Menschen, die aus der Ausbildung oder der Schule herausgeholt werden und häufig nicht mehr an ihre vorherige Laufbahn anknüpfen können“, warned Wirtz. Such outcomes are not rare in emergency medicine, but appear regularly after collisions with cars or falls without a helmet.

A central problem, according to the experts, remains the lack of helmet use. While cycling has long enjoyed broad acceptance of helmets, many e-scooter riders – especially teenagers – forgo wearing one. Sören Groth, spokesperson for the GDV, stressed that a helmet can significantly reduce the most common serious head injuries. Speed also plays a role: even at 20 kilometers per hour, a fall without protection can lead to lifelong damage.

Added to this are risks posed by the growing number of inexperienced riders. Many teenagers use e-scooters without prior instruction or practice, often immediately after first signing up with a rental service. Ingo Tusk, also of the GDV, pointed out that accidents increase when young people ride in groups, are under the influence of alcohol, or travel on sidewalks where pedestrians are put at risk.

Risks in Road Traffic

Insurers and medical professionals are therefore calling for a mix of measures. In addition to more intensive education in schools, they advocate clearer speed limits in city centers, more consistent penalties for offenses such as riding under the influence of alcohol, and technical solutions such as automatic speed limits in traffic-calmed zones. Manufacturers, in the GDV's view, also have a duty to improve equipment with stable brakes and reflective elements.

While politicians in several federal states are discussing stricter rules, it remains to be seen whether the coming season will bring another rise in accident numbers. Experts expect the popularity of e-scooters to continue increasing, and with it the number of seriously injured – unless countermeasures are taken. The insurance industry says it is preparing a broad campaign specifically aimed at young adults.

Demands on Policymakers and Manufacturers

Overall, a trend is emerging that extends beyond individual accidents. When young people are torn from school, vocational training, or university due to preventable injuries, the consequences affect their entire future lives – and the social systems that must then step in. The coming months are therefore considered crucial for countering the trend through education, enforcement, and technical precautions.

From the perspective of trauma medicine, every avoided helmet omission is a gain. Wirtz emphasized that even simple measures such as consistently wearing a helmet could drastically reduce the number of serious head injuries. If a helmet culture similar to that of cycling could be established among teenagers, much would already be achieved.