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A moment of distraction almost cost a couple their child on Christmas Day.
In dash cam footage of a vehicle turning on Seah Street that afternoon, a girl was seen crossing the street as her mother, who was following her with a suitcase, watched from the catwalk.
Fortunately, drivers on both sides of the street were alert and managed to stop in time to avoid hitting the boy.
However, the girl soon made a U-turn and ran back onto the road, prompting one of the drivers to sound his horn as a warning.
It was then that her parents seemed to realize the danger she was in, as her mother called her while her father ran to check on her.
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On December 27, the clip hit social media, where many netizens criticized adults for apparently not caring about their children’s safety.
Others praised drivers for being careful on the road and helping prevent accidents.
Children face an increased risk of injury or death in traffic accidents
A study of children admitted to the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital between January 2011 and June 2014 showed that three out of 10 accident victims were pedestrians.
They accounted for more than half of those who were seriously injured.
“Given their small physical size, drivers’ eyesight is easily obstructed,” the study authors said, adding that children navigating the roads were prone to errors in judgment and might have difficulty controlling their impulses.
Children under the age of 10 need supervision when crossing roads
According to an article on pedestrian safety, Singaporean children require adult supervision when navigating cars, roads and parking lots until they are 10 or 11 years old.
In addition to holding their child’s hand when near cars, parents should also demonstrate pedestrian safety crossings, such as:
- stop, look, listen and think before crossing a street;
- use crosswalks whenever possible;
- cross at the safest point, even if you have to walk farther out of your way;
- wait for the green man while crossing at the traffic lights;
- Put phones and other devices away when walking on roads and cars.
READ ALSO: Whose fault is it? Boy runs off, gets hit by car at Depot Walk
