Street safety, or pedestrian safety, is a vitally important issue for children. While all pedestrians are at risk for traffic accidents, children are particularly vulnerable; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pedestrians made up 20 percent of the traffic accident fatalities among children ages 5 to 9 in 2008. Learning and practicing proper street safety behavior is an important part of staying safe while playing and walking near traffic.
Safe Walking Locations
As Safe Kids USA advises, children should always walk on sideways when available. On roads lacking sidewalks, pedestrians should walk facing traffic, as far off to the left as possible.
Crossing Street
As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains, all pedestrians should cross the street at the corner or at a crosswalk or traffic light. Follow any available traffic signals, but do not assume that a green walk signal means that it is safe to walk. Before crossing any street, children should look for moving cars by looking to the left, then the right, then the left again. When the street is clear, children should walk across the street, continually looking to the left and right for incoming cars.
Car Awareness
According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, it's important that children refrain from assuming that a vehicle, particularly a turning vehicle, will stop for them to cross the street. Before crossing, pedestrians need to make eye contact with drivers to ensure that the driver actually sees them and is willing to stop. Children should also learn to be aware near parked cars and driveways, as cars may suddenly back up or pull forward if pedestrians do not appear to be present. Treat all driveways like intersections, and be sure to watch and listen for engine noise and tail lights when walking behind parked cars.
Playing Near Street
Children who don't understand road-related dangers may run out into the street to retrieve a wayward ball or other toy, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes. Teach your children that it is never acceptable to dart out into the street. Instead, children should ask an adult for help in retrieving anything they need from the street.
Pedestrian Visibility
All pedestrians should take steps to make themselves more visible to drivers, according to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. Children and adults can wear brightly colored clothing and reflective materials, particularly when walking in low-light situations like the evening or early morning. When out at night, children can carry a flashlight to promote visibility and should wait to cross the street until they come to a well-lit area.
Parental Modeling And Supervision
As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out, children learn by watching adults, so make sure that you always practice proper street safety behavior. Until your children learn excellent traffic skills, be sure to supervise them when playing or walking near the street. Children usually don't accumulate the skills necessary for dealing with traffic until about age 10.
References
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Prevent Pedestrian Crashes -- Parents and Caregivers of Elementary School Children
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Kids on the Move -- Walking and Biking Safely
- Safe Kids USA: Pedestrian Safety Tips
- Walkinginfo.org: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center: Walking Safely
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pedestrian Safety Fact Sheet
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