Baby's Death Sparks Child Safety Drive in Kerala

The state of Kerala is in mourning following the death of infant Aalin Sherin Abraham, who lost her life in a vehicle accident on February 5th. The accident occurred when the car carrying Aalin and her family, which lacked a Child Restraint System (CRS), collided with another vehicle. Declared brain-dead the following day, Aalin's kidneys, heart, liver, and corneas were donated, making her Kerala's youngest organ donor.

The Kerala government has announced that the upcoming Institute of Organ and Tissue Transplant in Kozhikode will be named in her honor. Concurrently, online campaigns advocating for the strict enforcement of CRS usage in vehicles are gaining momentum. Passenger safety experts emphasize that Aalin's death was preventable had she been secured in a CRS, a device designed to protect children during traffic incidents.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, mandates the use of safety belts or CRS for children under 14. The State Transport Commissioner highlighted plans for new awareness campaigns, including reels, to promote CRS usage. He stressed that children should never occupy the front seat, and CRS must be used in the rear, with appropriate models selected based on the child's growth. The Act stipulates a fine of ₹1,000 for non-compliance with these safety regulations.