Road safety focuses on youth

According to statistics provided by the campaign, about one in every 10 people who die on South Africa's road are under the age of 12 and motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of "unintentional injury-related death" among children of 14 and under.

Christopher Mashilo, national junior president of the Children's Parliament in South Africa said: "We would like to ask the youth to behave responsibly during the festive season - do not drink and drive and do not get into vehicles of adults who are drunk."

Mashilo and the Young Women and Children Self-Empowerment Forum will participate in a countrywide roadshow entitled "Will you be there 2010 - Arrive Alive" which will start in Durban on Sunday.

Arrive Alive was also concerned about the safety of children as pedestrians.

"It has been proven that children under the age of 12 are not able to judge whether they can cross a road safely.

Therefore, young pedestrians must always be accompanied by adults or older children. Please keep an eye on your children," said spokesperson Wendy Watson.