Injury Prevention

Street Safety

It is very important that you teach children how to be safe while walking on or crossing a street. Supervision is the key.

According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, children ages 5 to 9 are at the highest risk of being injured or killed in a traffic-related pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian injury is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for 5- to 14- year olds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports toddlers are usually run over in the driveway; preschoolers are typically struck when they dart out between parked cars; and children aged 6 to 12 are usually hit when in the middle of the block and on busy streets.

For toddlers and preschoolers:

Toddlers and preschoolers need adult supervision at all times while they are outdoors and indoors. They should never be permitted near or on a street.

For school age children, teach them to:

Stop at the curb or edge of the road before crossing, and to never run into the street.
Look and listen for traffic to the left, then to the right and then to the left again.
Cross at the street corner and walk in crosswalks. Obey the traffic signals and signs. Keep looking while crossing the street.
Always watch out for cars. The drivers may not see pedestrians or yield right of way.
Never go between parked cars to cross the street.

For adolescents, tell them to:

Walk or run facing traffic and stay to the left where there are no sidewalks.
Always be aware of their surroundings.
Continue crossing the street if you are halfway when the light changes. Be quick, but do not run!
Wear clothing that can be easily seen after dark. Apply reflective tape or material to the clothing for added visibility.

Last Update
May 28, 2008