Doug Rivard, DO Executive Vice President, Physician-in-Chief | Children's Mercy Hospital K.C.
Doug Rivard, DO Executive Vice President, Physician-in-Chief | Children's Mercy Hospital K.C.
Electric scooter use among children is drawing concern from medical professionals after a recent incident in Leawood where a child was struck by a car while riding an electric scooter.
Dr. Amelia Bray-Aschenbrenner, who works in the Emergency Department at Children’s Mercy, highlighted the risks for younger riders. "These devices can be used very safely in the appropriate hands and in somebody over 16, who has a mature skeleton, who has a mature frontal lobe, who can make those split-second decisions when you’re going 15, 20 miles per hour or faster," said Dr. Bray-Aschenbrenner.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children under 16 should not ride or drive electric scooters if they are too young to have a driver’s license. Medical experts also emphasize that helmets are necessary for anyone operating an e-scooter.
The rise in electric scooter sales underscores the importance of parents being informed about safety guidelines to help prevent injuries among children.
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