The end of the academic year is very close. Children will be resting from lessons, teachers, and extracurricular activities all summer long. During this period, it is especially important to focus on preventing childhood injuries on the roads.
Since the beginning of 2023, 8 accidents involving children have occurred in the Vitebsk region: 2 involving child pedestrians, 8 involving child passengers, and 1 involving child drivers (one child died, the others were injured).
For reference:
Vitebsk district.
On 16.02.2023, at approximately 8:00 AM, the driver of a "Hyundai", when choosing her speed, did not take into account the vehicle's characteristics and condition, as well as road conditions, as a result of which she lost control of the car and drove into the oncoming lane. A collision with a "Opel" car occurred there. As a result of the accident, children (born in 2009, 2015, and 2018) who were in the cars were handed over to medics. 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,
travelled into the oncoming lane, where a collision with an "Audi" vehicle occurred. As a result of the road traffic accident, passengers born in 2014 and 2017 were handed over to medical personnel. The minors were in child restraint systems. Dokshytsky District. 25.02.2023 A 23-year-old driver of a "Peugeot" vehicle 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 road traffic accident, a minor passenger of the "Peugeot", born in 2005, died in a medical facility from the injuries sustained. Vitebsk. 10.02.2023, the driver of a "Citroen" vehicle, while driving in the rightmost lane of Maxim Gorky Street, hit a minor pedestrian born in 2007, who was crossing the roadway at an unregulated pedestrian crossing. As a result of the road traffic accident, the teenager sustained bodily injuries and was handed over to medical personnel. Vitebsk. 04.04.2023 at approximately 21:20, a driver born in 1994, operating a "MERCEDES BENZ" vehicle and driving along Builders Avenue in Vitebsk, entered the intersection with Chkalov Street on a red, prohibitive traffic signal, resulting in a collision with a pedestrian born in 2009. As a result of the road traffic accident, the minor received outpatient treatment. SharkovshchynaVitebsk region. 14.04.2023 at about 20:30, a 16-year-old teenager, driving a "Minsk" motorcycle, did not choose a safe speed, did not take into account the road conditions, as a result of which he lost control and fell onto the roadway. The minor was hospitalised with injuries sustained in the road traffic accident at the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital (UZ "VOKB") in Vitebsk. 03.05.2023, a minor born in 2009 sustained bodily injuries as a result of his right thumb being crushed against a handrail while inside a MAZ trolleybus. Vitebsk. 15.05.2023, a 52-year-old driver of a "BMW" car, driving on a green traffic light, hit a 13-year-old cyclist who suddenly entered the roadway on a red traffic light. As a result of the road traffic accident, the minor was taken to the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital (UZ "VOKB") with injuries sustained. The main reason for road traffic accidents involving minors is inattention. The pedestrian has a green traffic light, but does not ensure it is safe to enter the roadway. At this time, the driver is distracted by something and does not notice the 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 light. In turn, drivers are obliged, when approaching pedestrian crossings, to move at a speed that allows them to stop to let pedestrians pass. According to the Traffic Regulations, in a populated area, the speed of vehicles should not exceed 60 km/h, unless other regulations are established by traffic control devices on certain sections of roads. If a child under 5 years of age is travelling in your car, they must be in a child restraint system. For children aged 5 to 12 years, other restraint systems (booster seats or special seat cushions) are permitted, which allow the passenger to be safely fastened with a seat belt. If the child's height exceeds 150 cm, only the seat belt may be used. Violation by a person driving a vehicle of the rules for transporting passengers or goods entails a fine of up to 4 basic units (Article 18.13, Part 6 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus). Bicycles and children in warm weather are inseparable concepts. The task of every adult is to explain to their child,that a passion for cycling can turn into trouble. Approaching a pedestrian crossing, a cyclist must 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 notice a 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 start thinking: "Why can't I do it?" Be a worthy example of safe behavior on the road.