In South Africa, road accidents pose a grave threat to the safety of children. The African Brain Child (ABC) research group in Paediatric Neurosurgery at the University of Cape Town reports a staggering 2,000 cases of head injuries among children aged 0-12 annually. Alarmingly, nearly 80% of these severe head injuries stem from road accidents, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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The statistics surrounding traumatic brain injuries (TBI) paint a stark picture. Among children admitted for severe TBI resulting from motor vehicle accidents, a staggering 96% were not wearing seatbelts. This lack of safety measures is even more troubling given the recent 22.6% spike in road accident deaths in the Western Cape during the festive season.
To combat this issue, the ABC has launched the ‘Be Quick to Click Car Seat Drive 2024,’ in partnership with Supa Quick and Wheel Well. This initiative aims to protect children from TBIs—often referred to as ‘the silent killer’—by increasing the number of children secured in car safety seats throughout October, Transport Month.
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The Importance of Car Safety Seats
According to Arrive Alive, the use of car safety seats significantly reduces the risk of death in passenger vehicles—by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Since 2012, over 11,500 children have benefited from car safety seats through the Car Seats for Kids campaign run by Wheel Well.
Professor Anthony Figaji, Director of African Brain Child, emphasizes the urgent need for community action: ‘We have seen the human cost of motor vehicle accidents and TBIs in children we have not been able to save,’ he states. ‘We need to rally personal responsibility around seatbelt usage—together as a society.’
Long-Term Impacts of TBIs
Surviving a TBI is often just the beginning of a child’s struggle. Research indicates that even a single traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term inflammation and neuron damage, potentially affecting brain health for decades. This means that a child who suffers a TBI today could face significant neurological challenges 20 or 30 years down the line.
Addressing the Car Seat Gap
While it is illegal in South Africa for infants under three years to travel without a car seat, many families find these seats financially out of reach. Conversely, numerous unused car seats languish in garages, awaiting a future sale that may never happen. The Be Quick to Click campaign seeks to bridge this gap by encouraging donations and refurbishing of these seats to ensure they are safe and effective for use.
How You Can Help
There are several ways South Africans can support the Be Quick to Click initiative:
- Car Seat Donations: Unused car seats can be dropped off at any Supa Quick branch nationwide. The team will clean, inspect, and ensure that each seat meets safety standards before distributing them to families in need.
- Car Seat Sponsorship: Financial contributions are crucial for covering the costs associated with cleaning, refurbishing, and certifying used car seats, or purchasing new ones. Every donation helps make South Africa’s roads safer for children.
- Receive a Car Seat: On October 26, 2024, from 9 AM to 12 PM, families can collect checked and vetted car seats at Supa Quick in Plumstead, Cape Town. This event aims to provide much-needed safety equipment to those who need it most.
- Support Be Quick to Click: The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the importance of seatbelt usage and the prevention of TBIs. ABC is dedicated to innovative research, advanced medical care, and community engagement.
To join this life-saving movement, visit Be Quick to Click.
For more insights into the impact and prevention of TBIs in children, download the Be Quick to Click Research Report.
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Together, we can protect our children from the preventable tragedies of road accidents and ensure that every child has a safe journey.
Also read:
Seven South Africans die in motor vehicle accidents across the country
Picture: Supplied
