The National Road Safety Authority has released data showing that a staggering 952 children lost their lives in road crashes between 2019 and 2021. This heartbreaking statistic includes children who were pedestrians as well as those who were occupants of vehicles. The breakdown of the data reveals that 188 of the children were between 0-3 years old, 166 were between the ages of four and six, 164 were between seven and nine, and a staggering 434 were between 10 and 17 years old.
The Project Manager of LADA Institute, Shirley Haizel-Ferguson, emphasized the importance of a strengthened legal framework, enhanced awareness, and public education to reduce road traffic fatalities among children in Ghana. She highlighted the urgent need to take all necessary steps to protect children’s right to life, as they continue to lose their lives on the roads.
Mrs. Haizel-Ferguson made these remarks during a media sensitization workshop organized by LADA Institute in collaboration with the Global Road Safety Partnership, International Federation of Red Cross, the Red Crescent Societies, and the National Road Safety Authority. The workshop focused on promoting the use of child restraint equipment and seatbelts for children.
Dubbed “The Policy and Legislative Framework for Child Restraints and Seatbelt for Children in Ghana,” the workshop aimed to provide legislative and advocacy support for the amendment and strengthening of the legislative framework for child restraint and child seat belt usage.
Addressing the issue of behavioral patterns related to child passenger safety, Mrs. Haizel-Ferguson highlighted the concerning trend of parents driving without any form of restraint for child occupants. She expressed concern over instances where children are observed leaping about in the back seat, babies and toddlers being held in the arms of adults in the front or back seat, or parents holding a child while driving.
Mrs. Haizel-Ferguson stressed the importance of addressing these behavioral patterns and called on stakeholders to prioritize the safety of children by ensuring they are properly restrained while traveling. She expressed hope that the workshop would equip stakeholders with the knowledge and resources to advocate for safer roads and vehicles, empowering communities to make informed choices regarding child safety on the roads.
Furthermore, Road Safety Consultant Ekow Wilson-Asaam emphasized the critical importance of using child restraint systems for children aged 12 years and below. He highlighted that properly restraining children in the back seat with seatbelts or child restraints can significantly minimize the impact and injuries in the event of a crash, thereby reducing the financial burden on the government, communities, and families.
Mr. Wilson-Asaam emphasized the necessity of using approved and appropriate child safety seats designed to protect infants and young children from injury in the event of a crash. He underscored that traditional seatbelts are not suitable for infants and children, necessitating the use of child restraint systems tailored to their size and weight.
As Ghana continues to grapple with the devastating toll of road crashes on children, it is imperative for stakeholders to prioritize child passenger safety and advocate for the enforcement of laws and regulations that protect the lives of young passengers on the roads.
