Motorized scooter injuries on the rise

By Julie Vallese
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Injuries connected with the use of popular motorized scooters are on the rise, prompting the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a consumer advisory on the dangers of such scooters.

In a report released Wednesday, the CPSC said from January to July of this year, emergency rooms around the country reported 2,250 injuries associated with motorized scooters. Three deaths were also reported.

"We've looked at the figures that are rising rapidly over the last two or three years of injuries to children and adults who are enjoying these motorized scooters," said Marthina Cowart, CPSC public affairs director. "We're seeing the emergency room injury data skyrocket and we're concerned about that."

The agency predicts that -- if the trend continues -- some 4,500 people will have been injured in accidents involving the scooters by the end of the year. Last year there were 4,390 injuries and in 1999, only 1,330.

The majority of those injured are boys under 15 years old. The most frequent injuries are fractures to the arms and legs, with some injuries to the face and head.

So far this year, two children and one adult have died while operating motorized scooters. A 6-year-old California boy fell off a scooter, an 11-year-old boy in Pennsylvania ran into a truck and a 46-year-old man died after a car hit him. All of the victims died of head injuries. None of them was wearing a helmet.

"The agency wants to be sure that people understand that this is a dangerous toy," Cowart said. "They have to treat it like a vehicle."

Foot-powered scooters no safer

The CPSC urges riders use a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads when operating a motorized scooter. But, it says, don't use wrist pads -- they may make it more difficult to grip the handles and steer.

The agency also recommends wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes, using scooters only during daylight hours and refraining from riding on public roads or trying stunts. It says that children under the age of 12 shouldn't use the scooters at all.

A motorized scooter has two wheels, similar to the wheels on in-line skates. They're similar in design to the unpowered scooters that gained popularity about three years ago.

A small two-cycle gasoline engine or electric motor is connected to the scooter, which can power it to speeds of 9-14 mph. Gasoline-powered scooters cost anywhere between $400 and $1,300. The electric-powered scooters run a little less, costing from around $200-$1,000.

It doesn't appear as though the non-motorized scooters are much safer, though. Through July of this year, 68,530 injuries resulting in trips to the emergency room were recorded for the foot-powered scooters.

There have also been at least eight deaths associated with non-motorized scooters, the majority of which occurred when riders were hit by a car while riding on public streets.

The CPSC recommendations for non-motorized scooters are the same as for their motorized counterparts. The agency says children under 12 can use the foot-powered scooters, but children under eight should only use them with close adult supervision.

Some laws in place

Some local areas have passed ordinances banning or restricting the use of motorized scooters.

On January 1, 2000, a law went into effect in California prohibiting children under 16 from operating motorized vehicles, including scooters, and requiring that all users wear helmets.

In Bergen County, New Jersey, motorized scooters have been banned. That legislation also requires children under 14 to wear helmets while using non-motorized scooters, skateboards or roller-skates. Similar legislation has been passed in other New Jersey counties.

In Annapolis, Maryland, gas-powered scooters have been banned from public streets, sidewalks, parks and schools because of their noise level. Baltimore County approved a similar ban.