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Electric scooters are playthings, primarily meant for kids.

Elderly man injured after mistaking eScooter for a toy in Kaarst incident, occurring on May 19, 2023.

Electric scooters, casually deemed as playthings for the young.
Electric scooters, casually deemed as playthings for the young.

Electric scooters are playthings, primarily meant for kids.

In a recent incident in Kaarst, a 65-year-old man was severely injured while riding an eScooter on Jungfernweg towards Giemesstraße on May 19th at around 4:00 PM. The man, who was not wearing a helmet, was found near Giemesstraße and required transportation to a hospital by helicopter. No third-party involvement was indicated in the eScooter accident, and a broken miniature bottle of spirits was found near the scene.

This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the importance of eScooter safety, particularly the use of helmets. While helmet laws vary by location, experts strongly advise riders to wear helmets to protect against head injuries, which are the most common serious injuries from eScooter accidents, even at low speeds.

A study by the University of North Carolina found that helmet use among eScooter riders is low, yet head injuries account for 28% to 40% of injuries requiring medical treatment. The University of Pennsylvania explicitly advises riders to always wear a helmet for safety, and safety experts recommend helmet use, along with knee and elbow pads, to reduce injury severity if a fall occurs.

Many eScooter injuries happen off-road due to environmental hazards such as potholes, grates, uneven surfaces, and cracks, which can cause sudden loss of control even at low speeds. Small obstacles that do not affect cars or bicycles can easily cause eScooter falls due to smaller wheels and balancing dynamics. Common injury types at low speeds include falls leading to bruises, fractures, and particularly head trauma when helmets are not worn. Visibility conditions, like riding at night, increase risk if caution is not observed.

To promote safety awareness, the Kaarst Traffic Commission is asking witnesses to contact them at telephone number 02131 300-0. For more information on eScooters, please visit https://rhein-kreis-neuss.polizei.nrw/e-scooter. Subscribing to the newsletter provides in-depth information on societal developments, culinary arts, art, and culture in Neuss. After subscribing, users should check their inbox or spam folder to confirm their subscription. The privacy policy of the newsletter can be found for more information.

To ensure safe eScooter riding, the following guidelines are recommended:

1. **Wear a helmet whenever you ride.** 2. Familiarize yourself with the scooter controls before riding. 3. Watch carefully for small hazards such as cracks, potholes, and road debris. 4. Follow all traffic and local regulations. 5. Avoid riding while impaired or in poor visibility. 6. Be courteous to pedestrians and other riders, yielding when appropriate.

While specific helmet laws vary by location—the Village of Elk Grove and other places are updating regulations—current expert consensus is that helmets significantly reduce injury risk and are a crucial element of safe eScooter riding. Riders should adopt helmet use as a standard safety practice regardless of local legal requirements.

In conclusion, helmets are essential safety gear for eScooter riders to prevent head injuries, which are common even at low speeds due to environmental hazards that can cause falls and loss of control. Riders should prioritize helmet use to ensure their safety while enjoying the convenience of eScooters.

  1. The university study revealed that despite low helmet usage among eScooter riders, head injuries account for a significant percentage of injuries requiring medical treatment.
  2. In light of the incident in Kaarst, it's important to emphasize the role of fitness-and-exercise equipment like eScooters in general-news, and the importance of safety practices such as helmet use to prevent injuries.
  3. Accidents involving eScooters often occur due to environmental hazards, making it crucial for riders to wear helmets, along with knee and elbow pads, to minimize injury severity.

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