'Not a toy': Parents urged not to buy e-scooters for children this Christmas

The number of e-scooter riders being traumatically injured on Victorian roads is rising, leading safety experts to warn against parents buying them as Christmas gifts for under 16s.

Now that e-scooters have been made legal in Victoria, a new campaign from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is trying to reduce the statistics and improve e-scooter safety.

"Time and time again we are seeing people with smashed faces, with broken teeth, with fractures, dislocation of their limbs, and significant head injuries," Royal Melbourne Hospital Dr Sarah Whitelaw said.

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"More needs to be done around raising awarness around the rules," Transport Accident Commission Victoria's Chief Executive Tracey Slatter said.

And that's the focus of the new TAC campaign. Each semi-animated ad in the series covers one of the biggest risks riders take.

That includes scooting without a helmet, mounting the footpath, riding two-up with a mate, and hitting the road under the influence.

If you are caught scooting with a BAC above 0.05 per cent, the same penalties apply as if you're driving.

The fine for not wearing a helmet is $395.

Hiring scooters is banned in the CBD, but private use is still permitted.

And in Victoria, the number of serious incidents is on the rise.

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"In the last two years, over 100 people have been traumatically injured in an e-scooter accident involving a vehicle which has lead to a TAC claim," Slattery said.

The stats also show that injuries increase in summer, so the experts are urging mums, dads and Santa to think carefully before putting one under the tree this Christmas - especially because it's illegal for anyone under 16 to ride one.

"E-scooters are not a toy - they are definitely not for kids," Whitelaw said.

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