Traffic accidents involving children near schools remain a pressing issue in Vietnam. In this latest incident, a toddler was fatally struck by a parent’s car outside a private daycare center.

The heartbreaking recurrence of such incidents - whether inside school premises or just outside their gates - highlights the urgent need for greater accountability from schools, parents, and local authorities in protecting young children and students.

A series of tragic school-related accidents

On the morning of March 10, a 16-month-old boy was dropped off at the private daycare Mam Non Tuoi Tho in Ha Tinh. While the teacher was distracted after welcoming another child, the toddler managed to run outside and was struck by a car driven by a parent, resulting in his death.

Following the incident, authorities temporarily shut down the daycare center to investigate and assist the grieving family.

This is not an isolated event. In September 2024, a similar tragedy occurred in Dak Lak when three second-grade students were hit by a reversing car inside the yard of Bui Thi Xuan Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School in Ea Sin Commune, Krong Buk District.

The accident, which happened during heavy rain, left one girl dead and two other students injured. Reports indicated that the driver, a parent, had obtained their license only three months prior and lacked experience.

Although the school had a policy against cars entering the campus, the security guard had briefly stepped away, allowing the vehicle to enter, leading to the fatal accident.

Another heartbreaking case took place in February 2023 in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai. A nine-year-old girl was struck and killed by a school transport vehicle in front of her school.

According to official reports, after dropping off students, the driver reversed the vehicle without noticing the child, who was a third-grade student.

The van had been privately hired by a teacher to take students to her house for lunch before returning to school in the afternoon.

At the time of the accident, there was no teacher or assistant on board. Witnesses stated that the driver’s failure to check surroundings before reversing led to the tragedy.

That same year, in September 2023, another school-related accident occurred in Thanh Chuong District, Nghe An.

A sixth-grade student at Thanh Duong Secondary School lost his life in a schoolyard accident. During a rainstorm, a teacher drove onto the school premises to pick up their child, but while reversing, the vehicle collided with a mother and her child on a motorbike.

The student fell and struck his head against a wall near the security office. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the boy was pronounced dead upon arrival.

School traffic blind spots or a lack of responsibility?

These accidents stem not only from individual carelessness but also from systemic failures in ensuring school traffic safety. Issues such as limited parking space, lack of designated drop-off areas, unclear parking regulations, and inadequate traffic awareness all contribute to the ongoing risks.

Experts emphasize the need for a coordinated effort from schools, parents, and local authorities to prevent future tragedies.

Schools and educational institutions must collaborate with local authorities to reorganize traffic near school entrances, prevent chaotic parking situations, and deploy personnel to guide students safely across the road.

Regular safety training and hands-on practice sessions should also be held to teach children how to navigate traffic safely, especially younger students.

Parents must also adhere to safety regulations when dropping off and picking up their children, avoiding reckless parking and taking the time to teach their children essential road safety skills.

Above all, caregivers and school staff must exercise extreme vigilance, as even the slightest oversight can lead to devastating consequences.

These heartbreaking school accidents serve as a dire warning about the safety of children in educational environments.

Protecting young lives is not solely the responsibility of schools - it is a shared duty of the entire society. The time has come for decisive action to ensure that no child suffers tragic consequences due to preventable negligence.

Hoang Linh