Sunday, July 20, a 3 -year -old young child who was riding a scooter on the roadway was overturned by a trash truck. If the little boy remained aware until early evening, he finally succumbed to his injuries. Faced with accidents in a multiple scooter, how to prevent such a daily drama? Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, gives us some precious advice.
The 3 -year -old was “caught” by a trash truck in Paris
The facts took place on rue Claude-Decaen, in the 12th arrondissement of Paris.
According to snippets of information collected by Le Parisien, the little boy – yet accompanied by his aunt – was overthrown by a trash truck this Sunday around 6.30pm. He was rolling at high speed on his scooter and would have been “caught” by the famous truck.
“The term” caught up “means being suddenly trained, struck or crushed by a vehicle – often without the victim having been able to avoid it. The child was probably struck by the moving truck, trained under the wheels (dead angle of the vehicle) and/or stuck against an obstacle” SOuligne Dr Gérald Kierzek.
However, if this incident is serious and deadly (the little boy, leading urgently to the Robert Debré hospital, unfortunately died of his injuries around 10:20 pm), the medical director of True Medical wishes to underline the danger of these vehicles, “which always present the same threats“.
- Their dead angles are particularly important, “So that the driver cannot see a child if he is less than a meter.”
- Their maneuvers are often unpredictable, “Like rear steps or tight turns.”
- The noise of the engine can cover the cries of a child or the sound of a scooter, “Make their presence difficult to detect.”
“”It is therefore essential to adopt good practices when traveling on a scooter with a young child (between 3 and 5 years old)“Recalls the medical expert.
Scooter in toddlers: the reflexes that save
What to always do
First common sense advice: it is necessary to buy a suitable scooter.
“It must be equipped with a child seat with harness – this is compulsory for those under 12 – and offer maximum stability, ideally with three wheels. The safety equipment is also essential: the approved helmet (CE standard) is non -negotiable, just like the fluorescent vest. Reflective straps fixed on the scooter also allow you to strengthen visibility”, Assures Dr Gérald Kierzek.
The journey must be chosen with care: “Traffic on the road is prohibited, it is therefore imperative to stay on cycle paths”, continues the doctor.
If the child does not get on the scooter and walks next to it, “He must always be held by the hand “, says the medical director of True Medical.
Constant monitoring is crucial: the person in charge of the child should not carry any headphones, in order to remain fully attentive to the environment. “It is also necessary to maintain a safety distance with heavy vehicles, such as buses or trucks”, specifies the doctor.
What you should never do
You should never leave a child alone on a scooter.
“Circulating in the wrong way or crossing on a pedestrian crossing on scooters are dangerous behaviors and strictly to avoid. Likewise, you should never try to exceed a truck at a stop: the latter could go back without warning you”, warns Dr Gérald Kierzek.
In addition, in the presence of trucks, including poubelle trucks:
- You should never position yourself next to a truck. “It is safer to stay either behind or at a good distance in front.”
- When a truck makes a maneuver, even if it takes time, “It is essential to wait until it was finished before passing.”
- If you have to cross near a heavy vehicle, “It is absolutely necessary to establish a visual contact with the driver to make sure that he saw you.”
“Finally, any child on scooter is particularly vulnerable. This is why parents must ensure that the accompanying person knows these rules perfectly and applies them with rigor”, concludes the medical director of True Medical.