The special comprehensive event "Attention – Children!" will be launched in the country from August 25 and will last until September 5.

The purpose of the event is to prevent child road traffic injuries.

A significant part of the summer has passed, and children are gradually returning from holiday resorts and rural areas to the city. Having become unaccustomed to heavy traffic, they often find themselves in dangerous situations on the road. At the same time, relentless statistics remind us that August is the most dangerous month for road accidents involving children. In the two summer months, nine children died on the republic's roads, and 99 minors were injured.

In the Vitebsk region, during the past period of 2019, 20 road traffic accidents involving minors were registered, resulting in 19 children being injured and 2 children losing their lives.

Fatal accidents occurred in the Vitebsk district involving a child driver and in Polotsk involving a child passenger.

On April 27, in the Vitebsk district, a 17-year-old teenager, driving a "Asiloc" brand motor-block along Tsentralnaya Street in the village of Kurino, lost control of the motor-block, hit a curb, and the motor-block overturned. As a result of the road traffic accident, the minor sustained bodily injuries, from which he died at the scene.

Another fatal accident occurred on June 26 in the Polotsk district.

On the 47th kilometre of the R-46 "Lepel-Polotsk-Russian Federation Border" highway, the driver of an Audi 80, while overtaking, entered the oncoming lane, where a collision occurred with a Mazda 323.

As a result of the head-on collision of the two passenger cars, four people died, including a 12-year-old child, and 2 people were injured.

The State Automobile Inspectorate strongly urges parents to ensure the safe transportation of children. A child in a car must be in a special restraint system appropriate for their weight and height. A car seat or booster must be correctly installed in the vehicle. Children over 12 years of age must be secured with standard seat belts. It is also important to remind young pedestrians and cyclists of safe behaviour rules, including in courtyards, to supervise teenagers' leisure activities, and not to leave car and motorcycle keys in accessible places.

Dear parents! Please remind young road users that they must not suddenly step or run out onto the road from behind parked cars, trees, bushes, or structures, even if the road is located in an area adjacent to residential buildings. Before a child steps onto the roadway, they must stop and look around, ensuring there are no vehicles moving towards them nearby.

It is very dangerous to walk around a parking vehicle in its immediate vicinity, as children may not be visible to the driver due to their small stature. Rollerblading and skateboarding are only permitted in courtyards, squares, or parks, on special asphalt and concrete areas, paths, and alleys, but always far from vehicles and large crowds of pedestrians. Children under 14 years of age are prohibited from riding bicycles on public roads, and those under 16 years of age are prohibited from driving mopeds.

Drivers should be aware: 70% of road traffic accidents involving children are caused by adults. Therefore, when you see children near the roadway, reduce your speed and be prepared to stop at any moment. Drive at a minimum speed in courtyards.

During the period of the State Automobile Inspectorate (SAI) campaigns, in accordance with clause 166.9 of the Traffic Regulations, drivers are obliged to travel during daylight hours with the low beam headlights or daytime running lights switched on. Failure to comply with this requirement of the Traffic Regulations entails administrative liability in the form of a fine of up to 2 base units (part 3 of article 18.14 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus).

The SAI urges drivers to be extremely attentive when driving near children's institutions, passing through unregulated pedestrian crossings, public transport stops, and in courtyards.

Drivers should also remember to strictly adhere to the rules for the safe transportation of minors. A child in a car must be in a special restraint device corresponding to their weight and height. A car seat or booster must be correctly installed in the car. Children over 12 years of age must be secured with standard seat belts.