Pedestrian safety is an important topic that should be taught to children at a young age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 5,977 pedestrian fatalities in 2017. Of these fatalities, 214 were among children 14 years and younger. With the back-to-school season here, it’s important that students know how to be safe when walking to school. Below are five safety tips for walking to school.
1. Walk in groups
Walking in a group is a great way to stay safe. First, a group is more easily visible to a driver. Second, walking in a group provides safety from a stranger who may do harm. A group is less likely to be approached by a dangerous individual than a single student.
2. Pick a safe route
Parents should make sure their children have a safe route to follow when walking to school. A safe route should include accessible crosswalks, clear paths, and designated sidewalks.
3. Look for traffic
This may be obvious, but it is one of the most important safety tips when walking to school. Look both ways before crossing the street, whether you are using a crosswalk or intersection with a pedestrian traffic signal. Although at intersections and crosswalks pedestrians have the right of way, drivers do not always yield. When this happens, pedestrians could be seriously injured at the fault of the driver. In this case, a pedestrian may be due financial compensation. According to Waterbury pedestrian accident attorney, James A. Welcome, “successfully proving that someone else is more likely than not responsible for your crash can result in financial compensation for your past and future losses. Your insurance settlement could repay you for your medical expenses, property repairs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.”
4. Minimize distractions
When walking to school, make sure to minimize distractions. This includes keeping your eyes up and refraining from looking down at your smartphone or using headphones. The more aware of your surroundings you are, the more prepared you will be for whatever situation you may run into.
5. Be visible to drivers
Drivers may struggle to see students crossing the road or walking along the street. To increase visibility, wear brightly colored clothes, add reflective materials to your backpack, or carry a flashlight if it’s dark. This is an easy adjustment that can greatly increase the safety of walking to and from school.
Many students walk to school, so making sure they do so safely is extremely important. Educating children when they are young on the best practices when it comes to pedestrian safety is vital to maximize safety precautions when it comes to walking to school. The more educated children are on how to be safe while walking to school, the less the risk of an accident occurring. Walking in groups, following a safe route, looking for traffic, minimizing distractions, and being visible to drivers all can help reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident occurring.