Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland

Abstract The increasing use of e-scooters globally has resulted in a rise in traffic-related injuries, particularly maxillofacial trauma. This study assesses the potential impact of legislative measures, specifically speed limits and night-time usage restrictions, on reducing maxillofacial injuries...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Johanna Snäll, Henri Vasara, Olli-Jussi Murros, Veli-Pekka Harjola, Maaret Castrén, Tero Puolakkainen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94602-0
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849390023746519040
author Johanna Snäll
Henri Vasara
Olli-Jussi Murros
Veli-Pekka Harjola
Maaret Castrén
Tero Puolakkainen
author_facet Johanna Snäll
Henri Vasara
Olli-Jussi Murros
Veli-Pekka Harjola
Maaret Castrén
Tero Puolakkainen
author_sort Johanna Snäll
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The increasing use of e-scooters globally has resulted in a rise in traffic-related injuries, particularly maxillofacial trauma. This study assesses the potential impact of legislative measures, specifically speed limits and night-time usage restrictions, on reducing maxillofacial injuries from e-scooter accidents. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from patients treated for e-scooter-related injuries at Helsinki University Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023. The study included 1275 patients, aged ≥ 16 years, treated in three trauma hospitals. Patients not riding e-scooters at the time of injury were excluded. Injury patterns and the influence of legislative measures were analyzed. Among the 1275 patients, 169 (13.3%) sustained maxillofacial injuries. Legislative restrictions were associated with a significant reduction in maxillofacial injuries, with up to an 88% decrease in some months. Predictors of maxillofacial injuries included older age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04–1.08), alcohol intoxication (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5–5.8), and concurrent head and neck injuries (OR 12.1, 95% CI 5.8–25.2). Legislative restrictions on e-scooter use, including speed limits and nighttime riding bans, were associated with a significant reduction in maxillofacial injuries. These findings highlight the importance of targeted policies to mitigate injury risks associated with e-scooter use.
format Article
id doaj-art-15d15a2aefe34be7b877fea514247d27
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-15d15a2aefe34be7b877fea514247d272025-08-20T03:41:47ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-011511710.1038/s41598-025-94602-0Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, FinlandJohanna Snäll0Henri Vasara1Olli-Jussi Murros2Veli-Pekka Harjola3Maaret Castrén4Tero Puolakkainen5Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Emergency Medicine and Services, Helsinki University Hospital and University of HelsinkiDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Emergency Medicine and Services, Helsinki University Hospital and University of HelsinkiDepartment of Emergency Medicine and Services, Helsinki University Hospital and University of HelsinkiDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of HelsinkiAbstract The increasing use of e-scooters globally has resulted in a rise in traffic-related injuries, particularly maxillofacial trauma. This study assesses the potential impact of legislative measures, specifically speed limits and night-time usage restrictions, on reducing maxillofacial injuries from e-scooter accidents. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from patients treated for e-scooter-related injuries at Helsinki University Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023. The study included 1275 patients, aged ≥ 16 years, treated in three trauma hospitals. Patients not riding e-scooters at the time of injury were excluded. Injury patterns and the influence of legislative measures were analyzed. Among the 1275 patients, 169 (13.3%) sustained maxillofacial injuries. Legislative restrictions were associated with a significant reduction in maxillofacial injuries, with up to an 88% decrease in some months. Predictors of maxillofacial injuries included older age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04–1.08), alcohol intoxication (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5–5.8), and concurrent head and neck injuries (OR 12.1, 95% CI 5.8–25.2). Legislative restrictions on e-scooter use, including speed limits and nighttime riding bans, were associated with a significant reduction in maxillofacial injuries. These findings highlight the importance of targeted policies to mitigate injury risks associated with e-scooter use.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94602-0e-scooterTraumaMaxillofacialPublic health
spellingShingle Johanna Snäll
Henri Vasara
Olli-Jussi Murros
Veli-Pekka Harjola
Maaret Castrén
Tero Puolakkainen
Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland
Scientific Reports
e-scooter
Trauma
Maxillofacial
Public health
title Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland
title_full Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland
title_fullStr Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland
title_full_unstemmed Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland
title_short Changes in e-scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in Helsinki, Finland
title_sort changes in e scooter related maxillofacial injuries following legislative measures in helsinki finland
topic e-scooter
Trauma
Maxillofacial
Public health
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94602-0
work_keys_str_mv AT johannasnall changesinescooterrelatedmaxillofacialinjuriesfollowinglegislativemeasuresinhelsinkifinland
AT henrivasara changesinescooterrelatedmaxillofacialinjuriesfollowinglegislativemeasuresinhelsinkifinland
AT ollijussimurros changesinescooterrelatedmaxillofacialinjuriesfollowinglegislativemeasuresinhelsinkifinland
AT velipekkaharjola changesinescooterrelatedmaxillofacialinjuriesfollowinglegislativemeasuresinhelsinkifinland
AT maaretcastren changesinescooterrelatedmaxillofacialinjuriesfollowinglegislativemeasuresinhelsinkifinland
AT teropuolakkainen changesinescooterrelatedmaxillofacialinjuriesfollowinglegislativemeasuresinhelsinkifinland