Riding scooters under the influence of alcohol has been a major contributor to accidents involving these eco-friendly vehicles.
Despite it being prohibited in regions such as America and other European nations, riders often ignore the law and hit the road while intoxicated.
Alcohol and Electric Scooter Accidents
This has led to an increase in alcohol-related scooter accidents, with the number in the US now ranging from 23 per cent to 43 per cent. This figure is expected to rise due to the increased adoption of electric scooters in the country.
Alcohol-Related Scooter Accident Statistics
According to the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), many scooter accidents are a result of alcohol consumption and mostly occur at night and during weekends. The report also showed that many residents in Sweden use electric scooters to move from one bar or restaurant to another while drinking alcohol.
The study further revealed that many of these accidents involve a single vehicle, where the rider veers off the road and hits an obstacle or pothole. Due to the impaired judgment that comes with alcohol. What makes the matter worse is that some riders continue cruising through bad weather despite being intoxicated, leading to even more accidents.
Lack of Protective Gear Among Intoxicated Riders
The same study also showed that intoxicated scooter riders rarely wear protective gear such as helmets. Something that is of a primordial aspect. A helmet is safety gear that helps prevent head injury in case of an accident while cruising on two wheels.
Underage Drinking and Scooter Injuries
More troubling is that 23 per cent of scooter injuries involve minors who are also under the influence of alcohol. This has been happening despite laws barring individuals under 16 years from using electric scooters on major roads and highways, and even though alcohol consumption is restricted to adults.
Common Injuries from Alcohol-Related Crashes
According to data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), most scooter accidents caused by alcohol result in head and facial injuries. Concussions account for 40 per cent of hospital visits related to scooter crashes. This also indicates that many riders arriving at emergency departments after scooter accidents are often drunk.
Avoiding alcohol before riding a scooter can save not only your life, but also the lives of other road users. Imagine suffering a serious head injury simply because you chose to ride while drunk.
When intoxicated, the rider might not even be able to detect very basic faults that may require roadside fixing before hitting the gas, hence worsening the faults and leading to more devastating damage to electric scooters.
Why Riding Under the Influence Is Dangerous
Riding under the influence of alcohol is also difficult because it impairs a rider’s ability to navigate roads and reduces reaction time when quick decisions are needed. People who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs also have reduced ability to maintain balance.
