Awareness and First Aid

As the festive season approaches, millions of South Africans across the country will be gearing up for long-distance road trips. 

While the excitement to close off the year is palpable, it’s also important to prioritise the safety of our most precious passengers - children.

The statistics on Arrive Alive indicate that failure to use appropriate seatbelts or child restraints is one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in young children and adults in South Africa during car accidents.

Dr Vernon Wessels, Medical Doctor at ER24, provides some insights on travelling with children.

“All occupants need to be appropriately secured in a vehicle for their own and others’ safety in the event of sudden braking or an accident. Children up to 3 years need to be secured in a child safety seat and from 3 to 14 years in a car booster seat with appropriate child restraint. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for child safety seats and restraints and refrain from allowing small children to be seated on the front passenger seat as far as possible. Provide some form of activity for children to do on long trips to keep them occupied and plan regular stops.”

The don’ts

  • Don’t use a car seat that’s too small: Remember, as your child grows, their car seats need to be replaced to accommodate them.
  • Don’t place the car seat in the front passenger seat: If you place the car seat in the front seat, it can cause a serious or fatal injury if the airbag inflates and hits the seat or child.
  • Don’t use a seat that doesn’t fit your car properly.
  • Don’t leave your child unattended in a car seat.
  • Bulky clothes can prevent harness straps from snugly securing your child.

The do’s

  • Do follow age and size guidelines: Harnessing an infant in a seat that is too big is dangerous, as is trying to fit a child into a seat that they have outgrown.
  • Do ensure proper installation: Follow your car seat manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
  • Do use the seat every time: Car accidents can happen at any time, anywhere, not just on long-distance road trips.
  • Do check car seat recalls: manufacturer recalls happen when a car seat has a defect that could harm your child.
  • Do dress your child in the right clothing: Bulky clothes can prevent harness straps from securing your child effectively.

The improper use of seatbelts in South Africa is an epidemic amongst adults, too, with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) reporting that young breadwinners aged 20-34 are the main victims of fatal car accidents. The RTMC further states that men are four times more likely to be killed on the road than women. Part of this is due to either failing to wear a seatbelt or not wearing one properly. Not only is wearing seatbelts in the car required by law, but using a seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a collision. It only takes a few seconds to buckle up, and that can make all the difference in the world when it comes to ensuring road safety.

If you need emergency medical assistance while on the road this festive season, call ER24 on 084 124.