Nigerians couldn’t care less about car safety for children
By: Titilola Oludimu
Tags: here, Car Safety, Nigeria, Child Car Restraint, Children Safety

Quick note: This post was first published on my old blog in 2017. Don’t believe me? Find it here.

Celestine Omin, former Senior Software Engineer at Andela recently tweeted about a driver who was driving recklessly with children in the car.

Tweet by Celestine Omin.

The above tweet–even though attracted Formula 1 jokes– is cause for concern. According to reports by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria recorded 11,363 road accidents in 2016 which led to 30,105 Nigerians injured and 5,053 deaths–4696 adults and 357 children.

Even though more adults are involved in road accidents yearly, children are at a higher risk during car crashes because they are usually left unstrapped. And reckless hired drivers are not the only ones that endanger their lives.

In 2010, Bimpe, her husband, and their six-month-old baby were returning from a social function when their car had a head-on collision with another vehicle. The baby, asleep on Bimpe’s laps did not survive the crash. Bimpe and her husband used their seatbelts but unfortunately, the baby was not strapped in. Several similar accidents occur across Nigeria which lead to the injuries and in some cases, loss of lives of children.

ENFORCING THE CHILD CAR RESTRAINTS LAW

In research on the parental practice of child car safety conducted in Enugu, most respondents use seat belts but are not aware of the importance of child car safety. The respondents’ justifications for neglecting child car restraints (CCR) range from short distance rides, being in a rush, no space in the car for CCR to the refusal of children to stay in restraints among others. This is definitely not peculiar to Enugu.

When you step out today, do a quick survey of 10 cars with children occupants. Count how many of these cars have one or two young children in the front seat or jumping around the back of the car. I am guessing 10 out of 10.

By law, failure to use CCR is an offence, however, the penalty for defaulters is almost laughable. According to regulation 126 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, defaulters are liable on conviction to a fine of ₦2,000 or to a term of 6 months imprisonment. Yes, you just read ₦2,000!

Since the failure to use car restraints for children is not considered as a significant offence in Nigeria, we do not pay attention to it. Also, Most Nigerians are ignorant of the importance of CCR, therefore sensitization on the subject is imperative. In 2010, FRSC launched a public campaign on the issue, enlightening Nigerians on standard safety laws when they have children occupants.

Proper use of Child Car Restraints

“Any child under 12 years should sit in the back seat, strapped in a car seat. Those above 12 should have booster cushion fitted for them to help position seat belt and improve the view from the car. We have seen people commit blunders by strapping their babies in a car seat without strapping in the car seat itself. The right thing to do is to first strap the car seat properly with the seat belt and then use the seat belt in the car seat to strap the baby. If a crash occurs, the car seat belt and the baby car seat restrains the child” — Mr. Jonas Agwu, Former FRSC Sector Commander in Lagos state.

However, 10years down the line coupled with various partnerships with private stakeholders, not much has changed because the law is yet to be properly enforced. Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps and other law enforcement agencies who should enforce this law are more concerned with other (non) laws that can yield bribes from motorists.

For things to change, Nigerians should begin to make conscious efforts to make their cars safe for children. Also, the National Road Traffic Regulations should be reviewed with a graver penalty attached to defaulters and car child restraints laws should be enforced at checkpoints.