Keeping Children Safe

20 April 2015

The World Health Organisation has published a paper outlining “Ten strategies for keeping children safe on the road”, in support of Global Road Safety Week 2015* (4th-10th May).

More than 186,000 children die each year in road crashes, which are the biggest cause of death among young people aged 15-17yrs; the third biggest cause of death among children aged 10-14yrs; and the fourth biggest cause of death among children aged 5-9 yrs.

The children most likely to die in a road traffic crash live in low- and middle-income countries, where 95% of road traffic fatalities among children occur. Even within countries, children from economically poor backgrounds are at greatest risk.

The 10 strategies outlined cover:

1 Controlling speed

2 Reducing drink and driving

3 Using helmets for bicyclists and motorcyclists

4 Restraining children in vehicles

5 Improving children’s ability to see and be seen

6 Enhancing road infrastructure

7 Adapting vehicle design

8 Reducing risks for young drivers

9 Providing appropriate care for injured children

10 Supervising children around roads

It explains the key issues associated with each of the above, and puts forward strategies to mitigate against the dangers.
 

The paper can be downloaded here.