NUH highlights urgent safety priorities amid rising trauma injuries in Singapore

Published on 27 April 2026

At a glance

• The number of moderate to severe trauma cases in Singapore had increased about 11 per cent from 2022 to 2024.
• Vehicular accidents were the second top cause of injuries among children between 2015 to 2024.
• Among children involved in road traffic accidents and did not survive, 85 per cent of the deaths were Dead-On-Arrival (DOA) to the hospital or occurred in the Emergency Department.

Rena* was getting ready to cook dinner for the family on a regular weekday evening in February 2023 when she received a call from her helper. It was every parent’s worst nightmare – her five-year-old daughter, Serene*, had been run over by a van just outside their house.

“My husband, son and I rushed to the scene immediately,” Rena, a talent acquisition professional, recounted. “My helper and daughter were riding a scooter home together across the road after her ballet class, when a van made a left turn, did not keep a lookout and hit them.”

Serene was pinned under the van and sustained multiple injuries, including a severe fracture to her left tibia (shin bone). She was rushed to the Children’s Emergency at the National University Hospital (NUH) by ambulance, where she was attended to by the resuscitation team, comprising doctors and nurses from the adult and paediatric emergency units, as well as surgical teams. Following initial stabilisation, she was admitted for further care and subsequently underwent surgery to repair the fracture. 

Dr Ivy Ang, Consultant, Children’s Emergency, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, was one of the doctors involved in Serene’s acute care. 

Protecting little road users

Drawing from her experience in the Children’s Emergency, Dr Ang noted two common scenarios that can lead to similar accidents happening. The first involves young children suddenly dashing across the road. Due to their small stature, they may be harder for motorists to see, particularly when vehicles are turning or during low-light conditions at night, resulting in collisions.

The second involves children crossing in front of large vehicles such as buses. These vehicles can hinder the view of both the child and oncoming motorists, creating a dangerous blind spot that significantly increases the risk of an accident.

Dr Ang emphasised that while not all accidents can be avoided, there are practical steps to help reduce risk. Caregivers are encouraged to hold their child’s hand when crossing roads and in car parks, avoid crossing near large vehicles where visibility may be limited, and teach children to make themselves more noticeable to drivers – for instance, by raising their hands when crossing. 

Adj A/Prof Andrew Lim, Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NUH, operated on Serene’s left leg, where pins were used to secure the complex fractures in her shin bone.

Silver linings

While Rena had intense flashbacks and nightmares following the accident, she is thankful Serene did not sustain serious head or spine injuries, and did not require further intervention for the minor fractures in her pelvis and hip. “It was very difficult to even think about it, but she kept us strong and reassured us that she would be fine,” Rena shared.

Serene was hospitalised for five days, and subsequently underwent further procedures to remove the pins in her leg. She also attended regular physiotherapy sessions to regain mobility and function of her leg.

“She now sees Dr Lim once a year to monitor the growth of the healed bone,” Rena explained. “Hopefully, the bone continues to grow well when she hits puberty, but she has not complained of any pain so far.”

While the date of the accident still brings back unpleasant memories, Rena also sees the silver linings. “I remember it as the day she survived,” she said. “After the accident, I reminded her repeatedly to always be vigilant and to look out and listen for cars and other vehicles before she crosses the road.”

Rena is immensely relieved that Serene has made a full recovery since the accident, and has resumed the physical activities she loves, like swimming and ballet. “Serene managed to pick herself up very well emotionally and physically, which we are very thankful for,” Rena shared.

Use of safety restraints

Children are among the most vulnerable road users, in part due to their small stature and poor compliance with safety measures. Serene’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of road safety, one of the urgent safety priorities that was discussed at the National Injury Prevention Conference (NIPC) 2026, co-organised for the second year by NUH and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH). It underscores the shared responsibility of all road users – drivers to stay alert and drive safely, and pedestrians to remain vigilant of oncoming vehicles.

Child seat and seat belt usage were also highlighted at NIPC 2026, as key safety measures that can make the difference between life and death. Each year, KKH and NUH attend to about 250 children who sustain injuries while travelling as passengers in motor vehicles.

Data from the National Trauma Registry, Singapore, showed that 80 per cent of children aged nine and below involved in vehicular accidents were not using car seats, due to reasons such as the baby crying in the car seat and other logical constraints.

Statistics relating to older children and adults paint an equally grim picture: 95 per cent of children aged 10 to 16 and more than half of the adults involved in a road traffic accident were not using a seatbelt. Seatbelt compliance was even lower for those who were back seat passengers.

“There is a clear correlation that not using seat belts does result in worse injuries,” said Adj Asst Prof Raj Menon, Centre Director, National University Centre for Trauma, NUH. “We tend to focus on drivers and those in the front seat, but rear passengers are also very much at risk when they do not wear a seat belt.” 

*not their real names

Byline

In consultation with Adj Asst Prof Raj Menon, Centre Director, National University Centre for Trauma, NUH, and Dr Ivy Ang, Paediatric Lead, National University Centre for Trauma, NUH.