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.

• Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018, 6,283 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents - the most deaths since 1990.
• 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.
• In 2017, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional motor vehicle traffic accidents were the leading cause of death in the age groups of 5-9, 10-14, and 15-24.
• 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 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.