In 2019, the incident shocked public opinion when a first-grade student in Hanoi died after being left behind by a driver in a car.
Education workers and the online community were shocked because this was the first time a real accident had occurred in picking up and dropping off students, the cause of which stemmed from the scolding and carelessness of the people involved.
In the same year, a 3-year-old child in Bac Ninh (old) was left behind in a pick-up car from 8am to 3pm. Fortunately, the child escaped because the driver opened the glass door in the driver's seat and parked the car under the tree.
In June 2020, a 4th grade male student at Nam Tu Liem Primary School (Hanoi) was also forgotten in a car taken to pick up and drop off students. Luckily, the child woke up, knocked on the door, and asked the people to help him get out. And recently, last year, public opinion was shocked by the death of preschool children in Thai Binh, suspected to be caused by being left behind in a bus.
It is no coincidence that the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 (effective from January 1, 2025) clearly stipulates in Article 46: "Automobiles for transportation combined with activities of picking up and dropping off preschool children and students must install equipment with warning functions, preventing children from being left behind in cars".
This is not only a legal requirement, but a technical corridor to ensure the basic principle: Human networks are paramount, especially children - the most vulnerable group.
Recently, the Institute of Criminal Science - Ministry of Public Security has successfully researched and manufactured warning devices to prevent children from being left behind in the car. The device not only meets technical standards and has an intellectual property registration, but is also designed intelligently, allowing timely intervention when the driver forgets to check the vehicle's condition.
The operating principle is very humane but also very drastic: If after 3 minutes of turning off the engine, the driver does not go to the back of the vehicle to press the confirmed button, the device will continuously issue a warning and then proactively call and text emergency contacts. This is a double warning - both technical and ethical. The device not only warns of forgetting, but also " awakens" the professional responsibility of the pick-up and drop-off people.
Along with the provisions of the law, Decree 168/2024/ND-CP clearly states the sanctions: Fines from 4-6 million VND for individuals, from 8-12 million VND for organizations, if they do not install warning devices on school buses. However, administrative sanctions are only effective when accompanied by social awareness and a serious inspection mechanism.
It is time for the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Construction and local authorities to strengthen inspection, post-inspection and include the installation of equipment in the assessment target for safe schools. We cannot exchange a few million VND in expenses for student life.
The warning device against leaving students in the car is not only a mandatory requirement under the law - but an order of conscience, to no longer be haunted by children and grandchildren being... left behind in the car.
