WASHINGTON -- New data suggests that riders of those electric scooters you see all over D.C. face a pretty good chance of getting hurt.
A new study by the public health department in Austin, Texas analyzed dockless, electric scooter crashes after emergency room doctors started seeing a spike in injuries. Researchers found the study "likely underestimates the prevalence of e-scooter related injuries," finding that 190 crashes happened over a three-month period.
"Helmet use might also reduce the risk of head and brain injuries in the event of an e-scooter crash," researchers said. They found traumatic brain injuries made up 15 percent of severe injuries.
The news comes as DDOT has approved the addition of another 700 dockless e-scooters and bikes on our streets.
Five companies operate electric scooters in The District. Lyft scooters warn riders to wear a helmet. The company does dole them out for free, but only at one location in Arlington.
You can read the full study here.