The academic year is drawing to a close. Children will be taking a break from lessons, teachers, and extracurricular activities all summer long. During this period, it is particularly important to focus on preventing child injuries on the roads.


Since the beginning of 2023, there have been 8 accidents involving children on the territory of the Vitebsk region: 2 involving child pedestrians, 8 involving child passengers, and 1 involving child drivers (one child died, the rest were injured).
For reference:
Vitebsk district.
On 16.02.2023, at approximately 8:00 AM, the driver of a "Hyundai", while choosing a speed, did not account for the vehicle's features and condition, as well as road conditions, resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle and crossing into the oncoming lane. A collision with a "Opel" vehicle occurred there. As a result of the accident, children (born in 2009, 2015, and 2018) in the vehicles were handed over to medical personnel. All minors were in child restraint systems.
Polotsk district.
On 25.02.2023, at approximately 4:30 PM, a 46-year-old driver of a "BMW", while overtaking, entered the oncoming lane, where a collision with an "Audi" vehicle occurred. As a result of the accident, passengers born in 2014 and 2017 were handed over to medical personnel. The minors were in child restraint systems.
Dokshitsy district.
On 25.02.2023, a 23-year-old driver of a "Peugeot" lost control, causing the vehicle to skid and enter the oncoming lane. A collision with a "Toyota Sienna" vehicle occurred there. As a result of the accident, a minor passenger of the "Peugeot", born in 2005, died in the medical facility from her injuries.
Vitebsk city.
On 10.02.2023, the driver of a "Citroen" vehicle, driving in the rightmost lane of Maksim Gorky Street, hit a minor pedestrian born in 2007, who was crossing the roadway at an unregulated pedestrian crossing. As a result of the accident, the teenager sustained bodily injuries and was handed over to medical personnel.
Vitebsk city.
On 04.04.2023, at approximately 9:20 PM, a driver born in 1994, operating a "MERCEDES BENZ" vehicle and driving along Builders Avenue in Vitebsk, drove through the intersection with Chkalov Street against a red traffic signal, resulting in a collision with a pedestrian born in 2009. As a result of the accident, the...an adult underwent outpatient treatment.
Sharkovshchyna District.
On 14.04.2023, at approximately 20:30, a 16-year-old minor, operating a "Minsk" motorcycle, failed to select a safe speed, did not account for road conditions, and consequently lost control, falling onto the roadway. The minor was hospitalised at the "Braslav Central District Hospital" (UZ "Braslavskaya TsRB") with injuries sustained in the road traffic accident.

Vitebsk City.
On 03.05.2023, a minor born in 2009 sustained bodily injuries when their right thumb was crushed against a handrail while inside a MAZ trolleybus.
Vitebsk City.
On 15.05.2023, a 52-year-old driver of a "BMW" vehicle, proceeding on a green traffic signal, collided with a 13-year-old cyclist who unexpectedly entered the roadway against a red traffic signal. As a result of the road traffic accident, the minor was taken to the "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital" (UZ "VOKB") with injuries sustained.

The primary reason for road traffic accidents involving minors is inattentiveness. A pedestrian has a green traffic signal, but fails to ensure the safety of entering the roadway. At this time, a driver is distracted by something and does not notice a child crossing the road. The result is a tragedy that could have been avoided. The simplest traffic rules are taught from kindergarten. Every pedestrian, before entering the roadway, must ensure the safety of their actions. It is necessary to cross the road only at a pedestrian crossing and on a green traffic signal. In turn, drivers are obliged, when approaching pedestrian crossings, to proceed at a speed that allows them to stop to let pedestrians pass. According to the Traffic Regulations, the speed of vehicles within a settlement must not exceed 60 km/h, unless otherwise established by traffic control devices on specific road sections. If a child under 5 years of age is travelling in your vehicle, they must be secured in a child restraint system. For children aged 5 to 12 years, the use of other restraint systems (booster seats or special seat cushions) that allow safe fastening with a seat belt is permitted. If the child's height exceeds 150 cm, only the use of a seat belt is allowed.
Violation by a person driving a vehicle of the rules for transporting passengers or goods entails a fine of up to 4 base units (Article 18.13, Part 6 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus).
Cycling and children in warm weather are inseparable concepts. The task of every adult is to explain to their child that the passion for two-wheeled sports can turn into a disaster. When approaching a pedestrian crossing, a cyclist is obliged to move at the speed of a pedestrian walking nearby.
Wearing reflective elements is relevant at any time of the year. It is the flicker that will help the driver to notice the child in the dark.
Dear adults! Parents, future parents, or passers-by! Remember, children always look up to you. After all, if an adult violates the Traffic Rules before their eyes, they think: "Why can't I do it?" Be a worthy example of safe behavior on the road.