Toddler runs in front of traffic in Singapore

Dramatic video has shown how close a toddler came to being mowed down by two cars after running across a busy road in Singapore.

The dashcam footage shows the youngster spring across a pedestrian crossing just before 9pm (11pm AEST) on May 2.

The driver of the car filming is forced to brake heavily to avoid hitting the child and yells and beeps his horn to try and warn other motorists.

The driver's quick thinking alerted a taxi travelling alongside, which also brakes just in time to stop before coming into contact with the toddler.

A woman, believed to be the child's mother, runs after the child and eventually catches them.

The video was posted to the Facebook page of Singaporean website streetdirectory.com, where people were quick to scold the child's mother.

"Parents must always hold their (child's) hands," Wendy Cheng wrote.

"Even till now, my boy is 11, as a mother I will never let go this hand when crossing the road."

Singapore traffic police say 61 children have been involved in accidents in the first three months of 2014, an increase from 45 in the same time last year.

Source: Facebook/streetdirectory.com, LiveLeak

Author: Jack Hawke, Approving editor: Matthew Henry