Pedestrian Safety

Did you know? In the United States, nearly 7,400 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes and over 60,000 pedestrians were injured in 2021. These numbers highlight the importance of teaching children pedestrian safety from a young age.

Why are children more vulnerable?

• Limited understanding of danger: Young children lack the ability to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles and may not recognize potential hazards.
• False sense of security: Children often assume drivers see them and can stop for them, leading to risky behavior.
• Limited visibility: Smaller stature makes it harder for drivers to see children, especially near parked cars.

Here's how you can keep your children safe

1. Awareness is key

• Focus on surroundings: Teach children to pay attention to their environment, especially when playing outdoors. Remind them that traffic safety is paramount.
• Avoid darting: Instruct children not to run into the street, chase after objects in the road or stand between parked cars.

2. Choose safe play areas

• Location matters: Select play areas away from streets, driveways, and parking lots.
• Plan the route: Choose the safest route to the play area and walk it with your children, emphasizing safe pedestrian behavior. Remind them to stick to this route and avoid shortcuts.

3. Master the art of safe street crossing

• Stop, look and listen: Before crossing, teach children to stop at the curb, look left, right and left again to ensure no vehicles are coming. At corners, they should also look over their shoulder for turning cars.
• Crosswalks are your friend: Always use crosswalks when available.
• Eye contact is essential: If a driver appears to be slowing down to let them cross, children should make eye contact to confirm the driver sees them before proceeding.
• Walk, don't run: When it's safe to cross, children should walk (not run) across the street, continuously looking left and right.
• Supervision for young children: Hold hands with younger children or have them walk with a responsible older sibling when crossing streets.

4. Be seen at night

• Reflective materials are your allies: During nighttime walks, ensure your child's clothing has reflective tape or trims to enhance visibility to drivers.

By following these steps, you can equip your children with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate streets safely. Remember, consistent practice and supervision are essential for building lifelong safe pedestrian habits.