Country: Romania
Name: Brindusa Luciana Grosu, Bucharest University
Category: Article

I believe children are more vulnerable than youth; therefore I will focus on solutions for improving road safety for children.

I propose a system composed by four electronic devices that, having in mind the newest technological achievements, would be very easy to implement. The first device is a “transmitter-continuous warning” device (TCW), designed for children aged 5-12. The second component is a “receptor warning” device that all drivers should have on board (new law needed).The third device is a “parent signal blocking “device, (PSB) designed for the adults who at a given moment accompany a child. The last component is a “control warning” device for traffic patrols, police, and authorities.

The system has a simple way of functioning. Wearing the TCW device implies that no matter where a child is, a nearby driver would receive a warning-signal into his vehicle’s computer:” Warning, child!” This signal could be either visual/ audio and it should cause the vehicle to slow down. However, if the child is not alone, it is the adult’s responsibility to watch over him. Therefore, adults will wear another device that would be capable of blocking the child’s signal so that drivers won’t receive anymore warnings. However, only one PSB would be compatible with a certain TCW device, compatibility based on a unique code that the parent will introduce into his device. The reason for this is that a child `s signal shouldn’t be blocked by a stranger’s device, someone that just happens to be near the child. If there is more than one adult who usually accompany the child, all the “caretakers” will have access to the child’s unique code. But, if at a certain moment, no family adult accompanies the child, his device will, of course, continue to transmit warning signals. Policemen and traffic patrols will check all the signals and apply sanctions whenever a child or a parent that accompanies him wears no device. They will also check the identity of the children found in the company of adults who wear no device or whose devices don’t match the adults` because of different access codes. This could be helpful in combating abductions and child traffic. Devices that amplify the child’s signal could be implanted in road curbs in order to let the driver know the child is no longer on the pavement.