Data on Number of Children Injured in Motor Accidents as a Result of Not Being Secured in Child Seats

9 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health (a) whether hospitals collect data on the number of children injured in motor accidents as a result of not being secured in child seats; (b) if so, what is the number and percentage of children involved in such accidents in each of the past 10 years with a breakdown according to the age groups of (i) below one year old (ii) between one and two years old and (iii) above two years old; and (c) if not, whether hospitals will start collecting such data.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Based on data¹ from the National Trauma Registry, between 2012 and 2018, the number of children aged 9 years and below² who were treated in public hospitals for traumatic injury due to a motor vehicular accident ranged between 106 and 225 cases per year. We are not able to ascertain from the Registry's data whether children injured in motor vehicular accidents were a direct result of them not being secured in child car seats and/or seatbelts.

Among those treated in public hospitals, more than half were known to have used car seats and/or restraints, while the status of the remainder is unknown.

Motorists and their passengers should use appropriate restraints at all times while riding in motor vehicles.