THE CRISAFULLI Government’s nation-leading e-mobility laws have delivered promising early results, with children experiencing serious e-scooter and e-bike injuries falling by more than half, and hundreds of illegal devices seized.

There were seven children admitted to Queensland Children’s Hospital for more than 24 hours following serious e-scooter or e-bike incidents – between July and September – compared to 18 admissions between January and March, and 16 admissions between April and June.

Queensland Children’s Hospital Director of Paediatric Surgery, Burns and Trauma Professor Roy Kimble said the downward trend was a positive sign.

“In previous research, we found that 65 per cent of children injured while riding an e-scooter required surgery. These injuries can be life-changing and, tragically, some have been fatal,” Professor Kimble said.

“Seeing fewer children admitted with serious injuries is a welcome development, but I’d remind parents to not become complacent or underestimate the risks associated with these devices.

“E-scooters and e-bikes can cause devastating injuries when they are used improperly or without the appropriate safety measures.

“Wearing a properly fitted and secured helmet should be non-negotiable, even on short trips. A helmet can mean the difference between a head injury that a child recovers from and one that has lifelong consequences.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the injury data was a positive early indication that the tough new laws were making Queensland safer.

“Doctors and nurses from across Queensland have told me time and time again about how concerned they are about the serious injuries they see in our emergency departments linked to e-mobility devices,” Minister Nicholls said.

“While it’s still early days, these figures suggest that the Crisafulli Government’s reforms are having an impact, and are helping to improve safety, particularly for Queensland kids.”

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Crisafulli Government’s nation-leading e-mobility reforms were making Queensland roads and footpaths safer.

“We promised Queenslanders we would deliver tough new e-mobility reforms that crackdown on hoons,” Minister Purdie said.

“These reforms are already delivering positive early results with more than 600 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters seized, 2,812 traffic infringement notices issued, and 78 drink riders intercepted by police since July 1.”