Make use of child seats mandatory

A common sight, especially on school mornings, is the alarming spectacle of children recklessly bouncing around in the backseats of moving vehicles. 

Even more concerning is that, young children are often seen perched between the driver and front passenger, desperately seeking attention. This hazardous behaviour is compounded by the irony of front seat occupants, safely secured by seatbelts, seemingly oblivious to the danger posed to their unrestrained children.

What the restrained front occupant fails to recognise is that the unrestrained child becomes a deadly projectile, endangering both themselves and other passengers.

As the country continues to develop its infrastructure and urbanise rapidly, prioritising the mandatory use of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) becomes increasingly crucial to safeguard the lives of children on our roads.

The CRS are specialised car seats designed to securely position a child in a moving vehicle. They include infant carriers, convertible car seats and booster seats designed for various age groups.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that properly used CRS can reduce the risk of death in an accident by approximately 70 per cent for infants and between 54 per cent and 80 per cent for young children.

Grim reality

Available data indicates that from January to March 2024, 58 persons who were killed in road crashes were below the age of 18, representing 10 per cent of road traffic fatalities.

In 2022, 341 children between 0-17 years died in road crashes in Ghana, representing 13.7 per cent of crash deaths for the year.

Out of this number, 75 were children between 0-3 years; 57 were between 4-6 years; 48 of these children were between 7-9; 38 of these children were between 10-12 and 96 of them were between 10-17.

Additionally, 1,288 children between the ages of 0-17 suffered various forms of injury in 2022. These data cover children who were both pedestrians and vehicle occupants.

These are not just numbers. They represent lives tragically lost, families shattered and a future dimmed.

We need to begin to take all reasonable steps to protect the right of our future leaders to live.  They have a right to feel safe on the roads.

What needs to change Address regulatory inconsistencies

The Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) and the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012 (L.I. 2180), remain the principal legislative framework for road safety in Ghana. Regarding the safety of children, they prescribe appropriate seating positions for children and further criminalise the failure to ensure the use of seatbelts.

However, while Section 14 of Act 683 prohibits a child less than five years from sitting in the front seat, Regulation 119 (5) of the L.I. appears to allow for such provided that the child is in a restraining or safety device.  There is a need for an amendment of Regulation 119 (5) to align with the provisions of the Parent Act.

Enhanced legislation

Ghana’s current legislative framework is at variance with global best practices. While the law allows children over five years to sit in the front seat, international standards recommend that children under 12 should be securely restrained in the back seat using appropriate child safety seats.

Adult seat belts are not designed to protect young children adequately in accidents. There is a need to align Ghana’s laws with international guidelines to prioritise child safety.

Develop standards for CRS

While the Child Restraint Systems (CRS) are crucial for child safety, it is essential to use the correct type based on a child’s height or weight. International standards such as United Nations Regulation 129 (“i-Size Regulation) and UN Regulation 44 provide guidelines for appropriate CRS.

Ghana should develop its standards aligned with these international benchmarks while considering the country’s specific socio-economic context.

Law enforcement

To improve child safety in vehicles, a combined effort is needed. Law enforcement should strictly enforce existing seatbelt laws and also educate drivers about the legal obligation to secure children under five years old in the back seat using appropriate child restraints. Schools, media, and community groups should promote child vehicular safety awareness.

Conclusion

One cannot underestimate the importance of laws and enforcement in changing negative behaviours and prioritising the well-being of individuals and communities.

While existing legislation plays a role, stricter and more enforceable laws on seatbelts and child restraints can significantly reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries for children.

Parents and caregivers must prioritise child safety above all else when in a vehicle. Car seats are not the preserve of the ‘rich’. They are a necessary child safety investment for every child.

The adage, “hug your kids at home but belt them in the car,” underscores the fact that while love is essential, it should never compromise a child’s safety on the road.

The writers are with the LADA Institute