To safely cross a street, a child must have visual and auditory acuity, as well as depth perception, scanning ability and accurate assessment of speed and distance, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Permit your child to cross streets alone only after he has demonstrated to you that he can exercise good judgment and that he understands safety rules.
Significance
Walking is a healthful exercise for both adults and children and should be encouraged. However, parents must take responsibility for teaching children how to be safe pedestrians. Children are at higher risk than adults as pedestrians, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because children are smaller in size, they are more difficult to see. They also lack an adult's judgment of a motorist's speed and intentions.
Model Safety
You are your child's first and best teacher when it comes to pedestrian safety. Model safe walking behavior by crossing streets only at intersections, never from the middle of the block. Always obey street lights and crosswalk signals, pointing out to your child that even when an intersection has a signal, it is still necessary to visually check both ways for cars. Parking lots can be just as dangerous for pedestrians as intersections. Always hold your young child's hand in parking lots as you teach her how to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
Safety Rules
From your child's earliest years, teach him to never run into the street after a ball or a pet. Instruct you child to try to make eye contact with the driver before walking in front of a stopped car. Young children in particular are often under the misconception that because they can see the driver of a car, the driver can see them. At every crossing, pedestrians should look left, right, then left again before stepping into the intersection. Teach your child to stay alert the entire time he is crossing, and to walk, not run, across the street. Set limits for your children, and do not allow those under ten to cross streets alone, recommends the website SafeKids.org.
Safe Clothing
Teach your child that she is much more visible to motorists if she is wearing bright-colored clothing. She should wear clothing and backpacks with reflective patches when walking at dawn or dusk, or when visibility is impaired by rain or fog. Special caution should be taken at any time a child is walking after dark, such as during trick-or-treating.
School Safety
If your child walks to school, practice walking the route with him prior to each school year. Find the safest route, with the least amount of traffic and intersections. Seek out walkways or paths which are separated from the road. Whenever possible, cross streets where a crossing guard is posted. Teach your child to walk no closer than 10 feet from the front of a school bus, and to never walk behind a bus.
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