Children are naturally curious, so they tend to walk off toward whatever captures their interest. But children may not understand such dangers as being hit by a car, so you must instill respect for the hazards of walking on and near roads. Always monitor young children while they are near roads. Children under 10 do not have the skills to handle dangerous situations by themselves, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Know Your Child's Limitations
The NHTSA warns parents not to assume young children can handle walking alone. The administration provides a list of information it says all parents should know. For example, children are unable to judge how fast a car is traveling, and they think cars can come to a stop immediately. Also, because they are small, children may not be able to see approaching cars over roadside objects, such as parked cars, walls and garbage cans. To protect children, parents must teach them how to walk safely.
Cross Streets Properly
Follow the NHTSA's advice and teach your child the correct way to walk across a road. Whenever possible, your child should cross a road at an intersection, preferably one with pedestrian signals or a crossing guard. Teach your child how to use a pedestrian push button. Show your child how to look for oncoming traffic--left, right and left again--and tell them to keep looking while crossing. If roadside objects block the view of the street, children should look around the obstacles or find a safer intersection. Finally, children should make eye contact with drivers to ensure drivers know they are about to cross. If you train your child to follow these and similar safety rules, you will decrease the chances a car will hit them while they cross the road, according to NHTSA.
Walk on the Sidewalk
Whenever possible, children should stay on the sidewalk. But even sidewalks present safety risks. Fast-moving bicyclists, skateboarders or inline skaters might crash into your child, and car drivers backing out of driveways might not see your child in their rear-view mirrors. Because it is impossible to predict every potential risk, teach your child to be aware always of other people on the sidewalk and moving vehicles in driveways. Don't allow children to walk alone before they are ready to handle this responsibility.
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