Save The Children Urges Action on Child Road Deaths in Thailand

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Alarming Statistics of Child Road Deaths in Thailand

 

Save the Children Thailand has issued an urgent plea for action after revealing that one in three child deaths in Thailand are caused by road accidents. Over the past decade, more than 26,930 children have tragically died in road crashes, highlighting the severity of the problem.

 

Road traffic accidents are now recognized as a leading cause of death for individuals aged 5 to 29 globally, with Thailand being a particularly affected nation. This data is supported by the Global Alliance – Cities 4 Children 2023 report, which emphasizes the need for immediate intervention to address this growing crisis

Call for Stronger Safety Measures

In response to these alarming statistics, Save the Children Thailand has called for a stronger and more coordinated effort to tackle child road deaths.

 

Executive Director Guillaume Rachou stressed the importance of risk assessments for children's activities, especially those that involve travel, such as school commutes and field trips.

 

He emphasized that accidents are not just unfortunate coincidences but are often preventable through proper planning and precautionary measures.

 

“Each activity involving children must include thorough risk checks," Mr. Rachou stated, advocating for a proactive approach to safety.

Physical Measures and Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Rachou also highlighted the need for concrete physical measures beyond mere safety guidelines. These include ensuring that drivers are properly qualified, vehicles are equipped with essential safety features, and that emergency response drills are conducted regularly. Such precautions, he argued, would significantly reduce the risks faced by children on the road

 

FILE photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

In addition, he called for a culture of safety awareness to be instilled in schools. By teaching children their rights and protective practices, schools can foster an environment where both physical and mental safety are prioritized. This education would not only prevent road accidents but also equip children with the knowledge to avoid various other hazards.

The Safe Systems Approach

Central to Save the Children’s strategy is the adoption of the "Safe Systems Approach." This framework focuses on implementing high standards for vehicle safety, improving driver skills, and continuously monitoring road conditions.

 

The Safe Systems Approach has been proven effective in reducing child road injuries, with certain developing countries seeing a 47% decrease in child-related traffic incidents after its implementation. The charity is urging Thailand to adopt this approach on a national scale to safeguard children from preventable road accidents.

A Call for Collective Action

Mr. Rachou emphasized that solving this issue requires collaboration from all sectors of society. “The government, parents, schools, and agencies must unite,” he said. “Only through collective effort can we ensure that child casualties on the road become a thing of the past.”

 

Save the Children is advocating for immediate and sustained action, urging both public and private sectors to take responsibility for creating a safer environment for Thailand's youth.

 

The organization aims to see improvements in road safety policies, better enforcement of regulations, and increased awareness campaigns that will save lives and prevent further tragedy.

 

Conclusion

 

The rising number of child road deaths in Thailand is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention. Save the Children's call to action serves as a crucial reminder that the safety of children on the road is a collective responsibility. By implementing comprehensive safety measures and fostering a culture of awareness, Thailand can drastically reduce child casualties and create a safer future for its young population, reported TNA-MCOT.

 

Picture courtesy: TNA-MCOT

 

-- 2024-10-03

 

[ikke1959]

What can you expect over overloaded schoolbusses even older than the one of the fire, or just open vans crowded with kids, standing in the back of the van,, no seatbelts, no protection and even a bench in the middle of the van for more kids that is not even fastened or screwed for safety.. they will swirl through the van ... But nobody cares... as I wrote yesterday  the mai pen rai attitude is a distaster for Thailand and nobody really nobody will take any responsibility for what so ever... Always others to blame, the weather, the road, the brakes, the cellphone, the wind, an other driver .....  

[SbuxPlease]

Every now an then (evidently 26,930 times in the past 10 years), regular Thai families get a swift yet life altering punch to the gut to remind them that their regulators aren't regulating. I wonder if someday they will have had enough.

[NorthernRyland]

I always cringe so hard when I see some parents speeding on their motorbike with one or more little kids (probably no helmet too). I understand if you can't afford a car but you don't need to drive like a fool either. That's just being low IQ frankly.

 

Road safety is beyond much of the Thai population. Most adults here drive like we did when we were 16, young dumb and full of cum. If you can't figure out what a safe speed when driving is and respect basic rules by the time you're old enough to have kids you're beyond help.