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A few days ago, I witnessed something on a busy road in Gudaibiya that I still cannot forget. During peak traffic hours, I saw a boy who couldn’t have been older than 12 riding a bicycle right in the middle of moving cars. What made it even more frightening was that he was holding his younger sister in one arm while trying to steer with the other. Cars and buses were passing very close to them, and at any moment, a small mistake could have led to a serious accident.
Sadly, this is not a rare sight anymore. I have often seen young children riding bicycles or electric scooters on crowded streets without helmets or any adult supervision. Just last week, I noticed two small boys racing each other on e-scooters near a main road, completely unaware of the danger around them. These situations are extremely risky, not only for the children but also for others on the road.
Recently, the news of a child losing his life in a road accident deeply affected many people in our community. Incidents like these are heartbreaking and remind us how vulnerable children are.
Many times, the problem comes from a lack of awareness. Children may not fully understand traffic rules, and sometimes parents underestimate the dangers of busy roads.
There are also times when I’ve seen very young children crossing roads alone or playing near parked cars, which can suddenly move. In some neighbourhoods, children even ride bicycles late in the evening when visibility is low. All these situations increase the chances of accidents.
We need to take this issue more seriously. Schools can help by teaching children basic road safety rules in a simple and practical way. Parents must ensure that their children do not ride on busy roads without supervision and always use protective gear like helmets. Even something as simple as explaining when and where it is safe to ride can make a big difference.
Authorities should also take stronger action. More police patrols in busy and residential areas can help prevent such risky behavior. Creating separate cycling lanes and safer pedestrian crossings would also reduce danger for children and families.
At the end of the day, everyone has a role to play. Parents, teachers, drivers, and the community must work together to keep children safe. No matter how convenient it may seem, nothing is more important than a child’s safety.
Radhika Shanmugan
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