E-scooter casualties on the rise in Sussex

The number of injuries from e-scooters is on the rise in Sussex, new figures show.

E-scooters have become a popular method of travel in many towns and cities across the UK.

They have the potential to reduce pollution and provide a quick and easy mode of transport for those who cannot easily walk or cycle.

But privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal on public roads, and critics say they are dangerous for riders and other road users.

Provisional figures from the Department for Transport show there were 39 casualties from e-scooter accidents in 2021 recorded by Sussex Police, up from 17 in 2020.

E-scooters are still only responsible for a small proportion of all traffic accidents, accounting for less than 1% of all road casualties in Sussex last year.

As part of a planned Transport Bill announced earlier in May, the Government is considering legalising the use of private scooters on roads in the near future, and trials of rental scooters are already underway in 30 areas across the UK.

Users themselves were far more likely to be hurt from these collisions than other road users, accounting for 76% of all e-scooter casualties across Great Britain.

Pedestrians made up 16% and cyclists 5%, while car users only suffered 17 slight injuries from e-scooter accidents in 2021.

Lorna Stevenson, who researches e-scooters at the University of Westminster, said they could still help the UK meet its carbon targets.

“Transport emits more carbon than any other sector in the UK. E-scooters don't contribute to air or noise pollution – the biggest potential benefits from them come if people use them instead of driving for short, solo trips.

As for why casualties might have risen, she said there are several possible reasons, including more people using e-scooters.

"Research suggests new riders are more accident-prone. Better records likely play a substantial part, with many police forces increasing their efforts to record e-scooter collisions.