As Easter travel begins across the Western Cape, new clinical data has revealed a deeply concerning trend, that the vast majority of children admitted with severe crash-related brain injuries were not wearing seatbelts, despite safety measures being widely available.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has issued an urgent call to parents and caregivers to prioritise child safety on the roads, warning that preventable injuries continue to place children at unnecessary risk.
The warning follows findings from the African Brain Child clinical research group, based at the Paediatric Neurosurgery Unit at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, which showed that 96% of children admitted to intensive care with severe traumatic brain injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents were not restrained at the time of the crash.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger said the data reflects the real human cost behind road incidents involving children.
“Behind every number is a child whose life has changed forever and a family navigating the consequences. Every child deserves to be safe and protected,” Wenger said.
She urged parents and caregivers to make seatbelt use non-negotiable, adding that even short trips carry significant risk.
“Before setting off on the road, every child needs to be strapped in. Children that are not buckled up are at serious risk of serious injury. Something as simple as a seatbelt can be the difference between an ordinary day and a life changed forever.”
At Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, approximately 2,000 children are admitted each year for suspected head injuries, with road traffic accidents responsible for the most severe cases. As a specialised referral centre for paediatric trauma, the hospital receives complex cases from across the province and beyond, often reflecting the most critical outcomes of road crashes involving children.
Associate Professor Ursula Rohlwink from the University of Cape Town said the clinical evidence is consistent and alarming.
“We see the devastating impact of preventable injuries every day. The fact that 96 out of 100 children with severe head injuries in crashes were not restrained shows just how critical this behaviour is.”
She added that seatbelts and appropriate child restraints remain among the most effective interventions available to protect children.
“Seatbelts and appropriate child restraints are one of the most effective ways to protect a child’s brain and their future,” she said.
Health officials also highlighted the broader systemic impact of preventable injuries, noting that cases of this nature place additional pressure on emergency medical services, first responders and specialised hospital care.
From prevention programmes in communities and schools to the work of emergency services and trauma units, authorities say road safety requires coordinated effort across the entire health system.
With increased traffic volumes expected over the Easter period, the department is calling on all road users to take responsibility and ensure that every child is properly secured.
Officials emphasised that prevention remains one of the most powerful tools available, noting that it takes less than a second to buckle a seatbelt, but can protect a lifetime.
