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Substance use increases the severity and hospital costs of scooter injuries
Results Analyzing data from the 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample, UCLA researchers found that 25% of 7,350 patients were hospitalized for injuries involving substances such as alcohol, opioids, marijuana and cocaine. Published in The American Surgeon, the study also finds that overall scooter hospitalizations increased more than eightfold during the 5-year period, from 330 to 2,705. In addition, the risk of traumatic brain injury in the substance abuse group was almost twice as high as in the non-abusive patients. Substance use also increased hospital costs by an average of $4,600 per patient. Impact During the rise in popularity...
Substance use increases the severity and hospital costs of scooter injuries
Results
Analyzing data from the 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample, UCLA researchers found that 25% of 7,350 patients were hospitalized for injuries involving substances such as alcohol, opioids, marijuana and cocaine. Published inThe American surgeon,The study also finds that overall scooter hospitalizations increased more than eightfold during the 5-year period, from 330 to 2,705. In addition, the risk of traumatic brain injury in the substance abuse group was almost twice as high as in the non-abusive patients. Substance use also increased hospital costs by an average of $4,600 per patient.
Effects
While the rise in e-scooter popularity coincided with a jump in related injuries, the role of substance use in these injuries had not previously been studied. Given the increasing prevalence of substance use in scooter-related injuries, the authors say strategies such as helmet mandates, substance use prevention, and infrastructure improvements are needed to mitigate these injury risks.
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“In today’s landscape of rapidly expanding scooter use, our study shows how substance use among riders has played a significant role in the rise of serious, costly and largely preventable injuries,” said Dr. Areti Tilli, vice chair for education in the UCLA Department of Surgery and the senior author of the study. "Our study was limited to hospitalized patients and thus likely underestimates the current rate of injuries. As urban centers continue to expand shared micromobility systems, the growing prevalence of substance use among scooter riders raises serious concerns about rider safety. These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen safety regulations, enforce helmet use, and reduce substance use among scooter riders to prevent injuries and promote safer, more sustainable urban transport. “
Authors
Study co-authors are Hannah Benharash, Nam Yong Cho, Troy Coaston, Sara Sakowitz, Dr. Saad Mallick and Giselle Porter.
Sources:
Benharash, H.,et al. (2025). National Prevalence and Associated Outcomes of Substance Use in Scooter-Related Trauma. The American Surgeon. doi.org/10.1177/00031348251337140.