X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

A tragic accident reminds us why teaching road safety rules to your child is a must

4 min read

The New Paper recently reported the sad news of the death of eight-year-old Galen Ong Zi Jie who was involved in a fatal car accident on Wednesday 9 December.

The eight-year-old loved swimming and frequently visited the Delta Swimming Complex to enjoy this activity. It was on the way back home that fateful Wednesday that the accident occurred. The boy was with his grandfather at the time he was hit by a car.

Police stated that the accident happened around 6.50pm at Eu Tong Sen Street towards Hill Street.

According to reports, the pair had only been a short distance away from their home at Everton Park, when the accident happened and Galen was thrown about three metres away from the impact.

Below: Galen and his family in happier times. Image: Filton Ong’s Facebook

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151702922717702&set=ecnf.523592701&type=3&theater

The heart-wrenching scene had the boy’s grandfather kneeling by the boy and calling out his name after the initial shock of losing track of his grandson.

The pair was brought to hospital where Galen’s father was reportedly told that his son had bleeding in the middle part of his brain, which controls most bodily functions, and that he was being kept alive by medication and machines.

The New Paper reports that by about 11pm, the Ongs made the difficult decision to stop treatment, and their son slipped away.

Police investigations into the accident are still ongoing.

While we do not know for certain the exact circumstances behind the accident, it’s a reminder — a very sad one no doubt — to refresh your child’s knowledge about road safety rules.

Refresh your memory about road safety rules on the next page. 

#1 Use designated pedestrian crossings and do not jaywalk

Despite the convenience of jaywalking, stick to designated crossing such as zebra crossings, underpasses, overhead bridges and signalised crossings. Do not attempt to run across when red-man lights are lit up on traffic lights.

#2 Be safety-conscious even at designated dedestrian crossings

While designated pedestrian crossings are set to provide a safe avenue to cross, do not take it for granted and be conscious of your surroundings.

#3 Practise the kerb drill when crossing the road

Look to your right. Look to your left. Look to your right again.

When crossing the road, stop, look and check for any vehicles coming in your path.  Be patient, practise your kerb drill and do not just rush across. Check to see that there are no vehicles or that vehicles have come to a stop before attempting to cross the road.

#4 Raise your hand when crossing the roads

This is especially crucial for kids. Raising your hand allows motorists to be aware that someone is crossing. Kids walking across may be below the line of sight of motorists.

#5 Use footpaths and walkways

Keep off the roads and stick to footpaths and walkways.

#6 Be Seen, Be Safe

Carry reflective materials or wear light-coloured clothing when using the roads at night to make you more visible to other motorists.

#7 Don’t cross at road bends and in between stationary vehicles

Never cross at road bends or between stationary vehicles.  Your view is temporary obstructed as you cross at road bends and you will be unable to see the oncoming vehicles and they cannot see you.

Always cross from an area where you have a full view of the traffic.  Never stand in the middle of the road and wait for the traffic to clear as there may be chances where you could get hit.

We at theAsianparent are deeply saddened by Galen’s death and our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time. 

What can we, as parents do, to ensure the safety of our kids on the road? Do share your thoughts with us in a comment below. 

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jasmine Yeo

  • Home
  • /
  • Diseases-Injuries
  • /
  • A tragic accident reminds us why teaching road safety rules to your child is a must
Share:
  • Road Safety Rules For Passengers In Vehicles All Parents Should Know

    Road Safety Rules For Passengers In Vehicles All Parents Should Know

  • Schoolgirls injured after 80-year-old driver pressed accelerator instead of brake

    Schoolgirls injured after 80-year-old driver pressed accelerator instead of brake

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Road Safety Rules For Passengers In Vehicles All Parents Should Know

    Road Safety Rules For Passengers In Vehicles All Parents Should Know

  • Schoolgirls injured after 80-year-old driver pressed accelerator instead of brake

    Schoolgirls injured after 80-year-old driver pressed accelerator instead of brake

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.