Traffic Chief appeals to parents to buckle up their kids

The Rand West City Traffic Department urges motorists to buckle up before travelling this festive season.

According to Kenny Mampondo, Rand West City Traffic Chief who has more than 20 years experience as a traffic officer, taking such a simple precaution before hitting the road might go a long way to save a life, should unforeseen events occur on the road.

This is really something we can’t stress enough. We deem it extremely important. You don’t want to regret ignoring this instruction when your vehicle loses control and the children are not strapped to a car seat or wear seatbelts. They might get seriously hurt, be flung out of the vehicle or even worse … Need I say more?” Mampondo said.

Mampondo added he had lost count of how many children were found not strapped in or buckled up during accidents.

He added that small children have an 80 per cent chance of surviving crashes compared to adults, if they are buckled up or strapped in.

Mampondo said the traffic police can only do so much and that the onus ultimately lies with the parents to do their part and make sure their children are strapped in, buckled up and safe when travelling.

He also warned buckling up is not just to prevent serious injuries or death in car accidents, but in other situations such as when the brakes are slammed.

“When the driver suddenly brakes the unstrapped children at the back are likely to hit the rear of the seats, end up in the space between the driver and the passenger, and maybe through the windscreen.

Now imagine the impact of the car running into an object. We want people to be aware of all the possibilities and risks associated with travelling on the roads because we want them and their children safe at all times,” Mampodo said.

The stats tell a frightening story …

Passenger deaths in children are the fourth leading cause of unnatural deaths in our country, according to research done by the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa (CAPFSA) and the Medical Research Council. Not to mention all the children that suffer injuries or disabilities on a daily basis.

It is a sad reality that when you put your children in a car, you may do everything to protect them, but the next person may care less and harm you and your family. Travelling with children in a car on city roads in South Africa can be a harrowing experience. There is just a lot to deal with – potholes, road rage, taxis that stop and go as they please, unlicensed drivers, and unroadworthy vehicles. Moms can be forgiven for keeping their eyes glued on the road and not seeing their curious little ones freeing themselves from the seat belt.

Every month approximately 20 children are treated at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital alone for injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions. Most of these injuries could have been prevented through appropriate restraining, considering that 80 per cent of these injured children were not buckled up or restrained in any way at all. Car safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71 per cent for infants, and 54 per cent for toddlers. That is why you must buckle up your little ones at all times.

Buying a car seat for your baby or toddler

It is also of vital importance to choose the right car seat, and in doing so remember always to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a restraint and placing your child in it. Car seats are designed to match a child’s height and weight. When you buy a car seat you need to consider:

• The size and weight of your child
• If the restraint will fit in your vehicle
• That your child should be kept in the most appropriate restraint suitable for his or her size and age, and only be moved to the next category of restraint when he or she no longer physically fits into it