Motorized scooters spur safety concerns

One of the latest fads of the Rollerblade, skateboard and two-wheeled vehicle generation is the motorized scooter. These are similar to the foot-powered scooters but are assisted by gasoline or electric (battery) motors. Foot-powered scooters themselves are increasingly responsible for injuries and death but because the new generation scooters are motor-powered, they are faster, less easily controlled and even more dangerous unless used properly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 2,250 emergency room-treated injuries associated with motorized scooters in the first seven months of this year. If injuries continue at this rate, the total estimate for 2001 is expected to show a marked increase over 2000. The first full year in which CPSC collected data on these injuries was 1999, when injuries were estimated to number 1,330. In 2000, the number increased by more than 200 percent to an estimated 4,390 emergency room-treated injuries associated with motorized scooters.

CPSC is aware of at least three deaths associated with motorized scooters. Two of the deaths involved children, including a 6-year-old boy in California who died after falling off a motorized scooter and an 11-year-old boy in Pennsylvania who died when the motorized scooter he was riding crashed into a truck. Also, a 46-year-old man died in California after being struck by an automobile. All of the victims suffered head injuries; none was wearing a helmet.

CPSC recommends that riders wear the same safety gear as we recommend for non-powered scooters or roller blades – a helmet, and knee and elbow pads. Sturdy shoes are also important.

In 2000, an estimated 39 percent of the injuries occurred to children under 15 years of age. Most injuries occurred to the arms, legs, faces and heads. The most common injuries were fractures.

Motorized scooters are increasing in popularity. The gasoline-powered scooters usually cost between $400 and $1,300. The electric scooters range from under $200 to about $1,000. Protective gear, including helmet and knee and elbow pads, is available for less than $35.

Your first step in protection is to follow simple safety guidelines:

. Wear a bicycle helmet that meets CPSC’s standard, along with knee and elbow pads.

. Wear sturdy shoes.

. Owners of motorized scooters should check with local authorities for riding guidelines and restrictions.

. Do not ride at night.

. Under no circumstances should children under 12 ride motorized scooters.

So when your kid (even if he’s in his 30s or 40s) starts whining for a motorized scooter, make it your business to see that he or she has the appropriate equipment and follow the above rules. Even more, if you catch your child not following the rules, or behaving dangerously in the use of a scooter (motor or not), YANK it! Better to put up with the whining of a child than the whine of an ambulance.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.