Accident with an agricultural vehicle, death of a 9-year-old child (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• A 9-year-old boy died in an accident with an agricultural vehicle in the Aosta Valley, Switzerland.
• The accident occurred on Monday 10 August on the route du Châtelard, in Chandonne, in the municipality of Liddes (VS).

Key facts

• What: Agricultural Vehicle Accident
• When: Monday, August 10
• Where: Valle d 'Aosta, Switzerland
• Who: A 9-year-old child
• Amount: Not specified

The alarm at the 144 Health Emergency Centre was triggered at around 6.30 pm for an accident that occurred in the locality of La Montau. According to the first elements collected, the child was on board an agricultural vehicle when, for reasons that will have to be ascertained by the investigation, the vehicle left the carriageway.

Seriously injured, the child was rescued and subsequently transported by helicopter from Air-Glaciers to the CHUV in Lausanne. Despite the treatment he received, he died on Tuesday, August 11 due to his injuries.

Concrete examples

In 2020, according to data from the Federal Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), 142 deaths at work were recorded in Switzerland, of which 12 were in accidents with agricultural vehicles. 📊

Laws and regulations

Switzerland has a number of laws and regulations regarding safety at work and on the road. For example, Article 44 of the Federal Labour Law (LFL) states that employers have an obligation to ensure the safety of workers. 📝

Operational Checklists

To prevent accidents with

Operational details

Practical implications The accident is an example of how road safety can be compromised by factors such as distraction or inattention. It is important that drivers realise the responsibility they have on the roads and take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of themselves and others. In Switzerland, road safety is a priority issue, as highlighted by the National Road Safety Plan 2020-2030, which foresees an increase in investments in road safety of over 150 million Swiss francs. However, despite these efforts, road accidents continue to occur, as in the case of a 9-year-old child killed in an accident with an agricultural vehicle in the canton of Lucerne. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, in 2020, 1,434 deaths and 13,411 injuries in road accidents were recorded in Switzerland. These numbers are concerning and need to be dealt with seriously. It is important for drivers to realise that distraction is one of the main road risk factors, as highlighted by a survey conducted by the Federal Statistical Office, which found that 22% of drivers admit to having driven distracted over the past 12 months. In this context, it is crucial that drivers adhere to road safety rules and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of themselves and others. Driving with an alarm system compared to driving without an alarm system Driving with a seatbelt compared to driving without a seatbelt Driving with a speed of 80 km/h compared to driving with a speed of 120 km/h Resources National Road Safety Plan 2020-2030 Federal Road Safety Regulation (RSV) Federal Regulation on the Use of Road Safety Devices (RUSV) Cantonal Regulation on Road Safety (RCSV) Federal Statistical Office

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Key points

Action

If you witness a car accident, it is important to call 144 and provide the necessary information to help rescue workers reach the scene of the accident as soon as possible. It is also important to remember not to touch objects at the scene of the accident and not to provide false or incomplete information to rescuers.

In the case of road accidents with agricultural vehicles, it is essential to follow the instructions of 144 and not try to move objects or help the injured. This is especially important in Switzerland, where agricultural vehicles are common on rural roads and distances can be long.

For example, on 14 August 2022, a road accident with an agricultural tractor took place in Chur, in the Canton of Graubünden. A 9-year-old boy died after being hit by the vehicle. Police asked witnesses not to touch objects at the scene of the incident and to provide only true and complete information to rescuers.

In the case of road accidents involving agricultural vehicles, it is important to remember that road safety is a priority for Switzerland. The Swiss Confederation has established rules for road safety, including the Federal Traffic Act of 30 April 1960. This law requires that agricultural vehicles be equipped with adequate safety devices and that drivers be trained to drive in emergency conditions.

It is also important to note

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Source: tio.ch