E-scooter casualties increase three-fold and nine deaths reported

Provisional road casualty statistics for 2021 show a huge increase in incidents involving e-scooters on Britain's roads, while overall deaths and injuries were also up.

The new figures, from the Department of Transport (DfT), show that there were 1,280 collisions involving e-scooters, compared to 460 in 2020. 

Of all collisions involving e-scooters, 309 included only one e-scooter with no other vehicles involved in the collision, compared to 83 in 2020.

In terms of casualties from collisions involving e-scooters, there were 1,359 compared to 484 in 2020, and of all casualties in collisions involving e-scooters, 1,034 were e-scooter users, compared to 384 in 2020.

There were also nine people killed in collisions involving e-scooters (all of whom were e-scooter riders) compared to 1 in 2020.

The DfT says its best estimate, after adjusting for changes in reporting by police, is that there were 390 seriously injured and 960 slightly injured casualties in 2021, this compares to 129 and 354 respectively, in 2020.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “We are still learning about the type of incidents e-scooters are involved in as well as the kinds of injuries they create.

“While the number of collisions increased significantly from 2020, initial reporting shows that e-scooter riders are more likely to hurt themselves rather than others.

"Despite the fact e-scooters are only legal through rental schemes, some police forces have been collecting the type of owner.

“Interestingly, Nottinghamshire Police recorded more private e-scooter injuries compared to those in rental schemes which highlights the need to properly regulate e-scooter specifications before allowing them on our roads.”

The Government has confirmed its transport bill will include new rules to expand the legal use of e-scooters, despite growing safety concerns.

Road deaths increase

Overall, fatalities on roads in Great Britain were up by 7% compared to 2020, with 1,560 losing their lives last year.

The number of people suffering any form of injury also increased, with DfT reporting an 11% rise, year-on-year.

Cousens said: “The one glimmer of hope is that the total number of casualties last year remains lower than pre-pandemic levels, so we need that to be the turning point in order to make our roads as safe as possible.”

The estimated 1,560 reported road deaths in 2021, was a reduction of 12% from the 2017 to 2019 average.