Unified Road Safety Day titled “The Road Has No Holidays!”
May 30, 2025
On May 30, the Republic of Belarus holds a Unified Road Safety Day titled “The Road Has No Holidays!”, aimed at preventing child road traffic injuries in anticipation of summer holidays.
The State Automobile Inspectorate urges adults to be more attentive to children, as children are generally very active and restless, they want to frolic, run, and play. Our task as adults is to protect them from possible danger. Every parent should understand that insufficient attention to their own child can lead (and in some cases, unfortunately, does lead) to tragedy.
Therefore, dear parents:
- explain to the child the main rule of a pedestrian – when leaving home and every time before entering the roadway, including in the yard, to cross the road, you must stop at the edge of the roadway to assess the traffic situation;
- explain to the child that they should cross the road at a pedestrian crossing. The safest crossings are overpasses and underpasses. If there are no overpasses and underpasses, then you should cross the roadway at a ground-level crossing – a "zebra" crossing.
- draw the child's attention to the fact that at a regulated pedestrian crossing, before crossing the road, it is also mandatory to look around and make sure that all vehicles have stopped, and that drivers see and yield to them.
It is necessary for the child to clearly understand that they should not run out from behind an archway, bushes, kiosks, advertising structures, and other objects that obstruct visibility, or hide behind cars, or cling to them without looking.
In addition, never allow children to play on roads near their homes where cars may be moving. Teach your child to choose a safe place to play. These are playgrounds, squares, parks, and other places where there is no car traffic.
Another problematic issue with the arrival of the spring-summer period is injuries involving two-wheeled vehicles, namely bicycles and, now, personal mobility devices. It is during this period that the number of traffic accidents involving this category of underage road users increases. Therefore, before buying a bicycle or a personal mobility device (electric scooter, segway, electric scooter, etc.) for their child, every parent must teach the child the traffic rules. No one can replace parents in teaching a child disciplined behavior on the road and adherence to safety rules!
You should explain the basic rules to the child:
- it is safest to ride in stadiums, squares, courtyards, or residential areas where there are few cars and it is impossible to develop high speed;
- it is necessary to ride on special bicycle paths, and if there are none, then on sidewalks, without hindering pedestrians;
- the roadway is not a place for cycling;
- it is allowed to ride a bicycle on the roadway only for children who have reached the age of 14, if necessary;
- it is mandatory to use protective equipment: a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, as well as reflective bands, belts, and vests in the dark.
IMPORTANT! A cyclist is obliged to cross the roadway at a bicycle crossing or bicycle path, and in their absence, at a pedestrian crossing, at an intersection along the line of sidewalks or shoulders, without creating obstacles for pedestrians. Also, according to the innovations in the traffic rules, a cyclist has the right not to dismount when crossing the roadway! However, when approaching an intersection with the roadway, the cyclist must reduce speed in advance and, ensuring that it is safe to enter the roadway, cross it at the speed of a pedestrian walking.
Personal mobility devices:
- are not considered vehicles. However, they must have a functional braking system and handlebars (if present);
- movement must be along a bicycle path, and in its absence – along a sidewalk, pedestrian path, or roadside, without obstructing pedestrians;
- crossing the roadway must be done via a bicycle crossing or bicycle path in compliance with the traffic rules for cyclists, and in the absence of a bicycle crossing or bicycle path – at pedestrian crossings;
- dismounting is not required at crossings. However, cyclists must cross the roadway at a walking pace, having first ensured that entering the roadway is safe;
- the speed of movement must not exceed 25 km/h;
- driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly PROHIBITED;
- when moving, pedestrians are recommended to use protective gear (helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, etc.).
It is PROHIBITED to:
- transport passengers on personal mobility devices outside of specially equipped seating areas provided by the device's design;
- not hold onto the handlebars (if present);
- move if under 14 years of age (except in pedestrian and residential zones);
- perform actions that endanger road traffic safety when entering or moving on the roadway.
IMPORTANT! During darkness and periods of low visibility, cyclists and pedestrians, including those using personal mobility devices, must be equipped with reflective elements.
Personal mobility devices must be equipped with a front headlight (lamp) that allows timely detection of road obstacles. Bicycles must have: a front headlight (lamp) emitting white light, and a rear lamp emitting red light.
The unsafe transportation of minors in vehicles, specifically the absence of child restraint systems when they are mandatory, remains a pressing issue!
According to the current legislation, namely paragraph 178 of the Traffic Regulations of the Republic of Belarus, the transportation of children in a passenger car equipped with seat belts must be carried out using:
- child restraint systems corresponding to the child's weight and height - for children under 5 years of age;
- child restraint systems corresponding to the child's weight and height, other devices (booster seats, special seat cushions, additional seats) that allow the child to be safely fastened using the seat belts provided by the vehicle's design - for children aged 5 to 12 years.
It is also prohibited to transport children under 12 years of age on the rear seat of a motorcycle or moped.
Children under 12 years of age may be transported without child restraint systems if their height exceeds 150 centimeters, as well as in a taxi.
In all other cases, when transporting a minor in a car, the seat belt must always be used, even if they are in the rear seat.
Otherwise, all adults, and especially parents, must set a personal example of how to behave correctly on the road. It is mandatory to explain that it is unacceptable to drive a vehicle without a license, let alone drive a vehicle while intoxicated.
Remember, parents are always the undisputed authority for children! Therefore, do not allow yourselves to violate traffic rules, especially in the presence of children. Teach, show, tell, give examples from personal experience, especially since in the current age of technology, there are many special educational programs to help parents with road safety rules.