Street Safety

It is vital to teach children how to be safe while walking on or crossing a street. Supervision is the key.

Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2021, 7,388 pedestrians were killed and more than 60,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide.

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.

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.

Safety Tips

For toddlers and preschoolers:

• Toddlers and preschoolers need adult supervision at all times 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 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 the 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.