Remember to switch on your headlights!

  “Attention Children!”: Remember to turn on your headlights from August 25 to September 5. Every year in Belarus, from August 25 to September 5, the Ministry of Internal Affairs holds the preventive campaign “Attention — Children!”. The main goal of the events within the framework of the campaign is to increase the level of responsibility of parents and drivers. We remind you what this means. From August 25 to September 5, Belarusian drivers will have to drive with their low beam headlights on, not only at night but also during the day, and there is a corresponding clause in the Traffic Regulations. Violation is punishable by a fine of up to 3 base units, and repeated non-compliance — up to 8 base units. In addition to switched-on headlights, drivers must comply with other traffic regulations related to schoolchildren (e.g., observe the signs “Attention Children”, “40”, etc.). Special vigilance is required near schools, kindergartens, and other educational institutions. With the start of the academic year, traffic police officers will strengthen control on the roads — raids will be conducted to prevent possible traffic violations, ensure safety at pedestrian crossings, compliance with speed limits, and rules for stopping and parking vehicles. Law enforcement officers traditionally pay special attention to preventive work with parents. Police officers will visit work collectives and parent meetings, talk about the causes and consequences of road traffic accidents involving children, remind them of the rules for the safe transportation of minors, and the responsibility for non-compliance with the rules. The traffic police are confident that children should be taught traffic rules from an early age. The traffic police also urge not to ignore car seats! State Automobile Inspectorate specialists are convinced that the outcome of an emergency situation largely depends on how the child is seated in the car. We remind you that according to the legislation, children under 5 years of age must be transported in a special car seat in accordance with their height and weight. From 5 to 12 years old — using restraint systems or other devices (boosters, special seat cushions, additional seats) that allow the child to be safely fastened with the seat belts provided by the vehicle's design. It is important that the diagonal belt passes over the shoulder and chest and does not slide onto the neck. Transporting children on your lap is prohibited. It is also unacceptable to fasten both a passenger and a child sitting on their lap with one seat belt.