Accidents involving e-scooters hit new high in Germany

The number of accidents involving e-scooters rose significantly in Germany in 2024, according to new figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Young people are most frequently involved, and alcohol is also a common factor. 

More accidents involving e-scooters in Germany in 2024

E-scooters have been a polarising issue since they first began to arrive in Germany in 2019. One major concern is safety. According to the latest data from Destatis, the number of accidents on e-scooters rose once again in 2024. 

Last year, police recorded a total of 11.944 accidents involving e-scooters in which people were injured or killed, a 27-percent increase compared to 2023. 27 people were killed in 2024, all of them while riding scooters, and around 1.500 people were seriously injured. Almost two-thirds of all accidents involved collisions with cars. 

However, Destatis did note that e-scooters still play a comparatively minor role in road traffic accidents overall - making up just 4 percent of the 290.700 traffic accidents involving personal injury that were recorded in 2024. 

Alcohol a frequent factor in e-scooter accidents

Destatis writes that the most common cause of accidents on e-scooters was the improper use of roads or pavements. In Germany, e-scooter riders are supposed to stick to bike lanes, or go on the road if there is no bike lane. E-scooters are not permitted on pavements. 

Another major cause of accidents was alcohol, with 12 percent of cases involving someone riding under the influence. In Germany, even riding an e-scooter while drunk can land you with penalty points on your driving licence. 

The data shows that young people are most likely to be involved in accidents on e-scooters. Almost 50 percent of those injured or killed were aged below 25, and a full 82 percent were aged below 45. However, 3 percent of accidents did involve the 65+ age group, proving that pensioners - perhaps surprisingly - also like to take a ride from time to time.