The problem of fostering safe behavior skills in children on the street remains relevant - the prosecutor's office

The Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office considers the issue of educating children in safe street behavior to be relevant, noted Veronika Derbeneva, senior prosecutor of the inquiry supervision department of the Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, in an interview with a BELTA correspondent.

In 2012, 43 road traffic accidents were registered in the region, resulting in injuries to 39 children and the deaths of 6 children. Compared to 2011, the total number of accidents decreased from 69 to 43, and the number of injured minors decreased. However, the number of child fatalities increased from four to six. In the first two months of 2013, five children were injured in road traffic accidents in the region: two in Vitebsk, and also in Orsha, Polotsk, and Vitebsk districts.

These road traffic accidents occurred due to the fault of drivers, as well as the children's own carelessness and non-compliance with traffic regulations. "The cause of most road traffic accidents involving children is behavior that can be classified as risky: crossing the roadway at an unauthorized place, disobeying traffic signals, a child unexpectedly emerging from behind a vehicle or other objects that obstruct the driver's view, as well as incidents involving children who were on the roadway without adult supervision," stated Veronika Derbeneva.

Almost all pedestrian accidents involving children occur outside of crosswalks. The investigation of road traffic accidents shows that in most cases, children are involved in car accidents due to poor knowledge of traffic regulations, indiscipline, and the lack of proper supervision from parents and educators. "This indicates that the issue of educating children in safe street behavior remains relevant," emphasized the prosecutor.