Traffic injuries leading cause of death among children: Nimhans report

Bengaluru: Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 in India, according to a joint national roadmap released on Monday by UNICEF and Nimhans’ Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety.

The report, citing data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), highlighted that children and adolescents account for 10 per cent of all road crash fatalities in India, with nearly 50 per cent of them dying at the crash site.

Dr Gautham MS, Additional Professor (Epidemiology) and Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety at Nimhans, noted that nearly 45 children under 18 lose their lives in road crashes in India every day, with actual numbers likely 20 per cent higher due to underreporting.

To address this crisis, the report proposes a multi-sectoral action plan that includes allocating a dedicated budget for child road safety, conducting child occupant safety rating assessments for all new cars, implementing road traffic injury prevention programmes and safety audits around schools, strengthening emergency care infrastructure, and mandating road safety audits.

Dr Vivek Singh, Officer-in-Charge, Health, UNICEF India, emphasised that evidence generated by Nimhans will play a critical role in helping stakeholders focus on child road safety.

Experts at the event stressed the need for behavioural change and increased awareness among children and families regarding safe traffic behaviours, including the use of seatbelts, helmets, and adherence to traffic rules.

They also urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to establish safe-school zones and called on governments to ensure long-term and affordable public transport for children.

New polytrauma centre in north Bengaluru

In a related development, Nimhans is working on establishing a Level-1 polytrauma centre in north Bengaluru. A pilot study is also being planned with KIMS, Hubballi, to equip them with the necessary investigations for polytrauma care, according to Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, Nimhans.

Shocking stats 

The report revealed several key findings: nearly 45 children and adolescents are killed in road crashes daily in India, while around five lakh suffer from non-fatal road traffic injuries every year.

Between 2011 and 2022, 1.98 lakh children and adolescents reportedly died due to road crashes, with child and adolescent road fatalities increasing by 113 per cent during this period.

Additionally, 53 per cent of the top 25 safest cars had a three-star or lower-safety rating for child occupants, and child restraint system usage in Indian cities is alarmingly low, ranging between 2 per cent and 6 per cent.

Highways account for 55 per cent-60 per cent of all road fatalities, while nearly one-third of all child pedestrian deaths occur at traffic intersections.