Teaching kids about pedestrian safety crucial before they head to school

By Jenna Wilson

Road safety is a two-way street between drivers and pedestrians, but teaching kids some tips can help keep them out of harm’s way as they head to school.

Kids are particularly vulnerable because they are small, less visible to drivers and do not always make safe decisions near streets.

“When a child is here at one of the crosswalks or one of the intersections just trying to cross, it can be a challenge for them,” said Frank Till, executive director of the St. Joseph Safety and Health Council. “Especially the younger children because they’re often engaged in other things besides what’s going on on the roadway.”

Each year in Missouri, more than 100 pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes and with more students crossing streets this time of year, child safety needs to be put to the forefront.

This starts with teaching children how to properly cross at a crosswalk and sidewalk.

“Always use the crosswalks when you’re going to cross the street,” Till said. “If you don’t have a crosswalk, make sure you’re crossing at an intersection, never in between or behind cars, and always look both ways.”

If there is no sidewalk or intersection, pedestrians should walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

In addition, when children are waiting along the sidewalk for a bus to arrive, officials advise parents to talk with students about the dangers of playing on the sidewalk.

“We don’t want to be pushing and playing around near the street where someone could accidentally get pushed into traffic,” Till said. “Keep the horseplay at a minimum and never assume a driver can see you.”

Walking to and from school with headphones and being distracted by a cell phone has caused a rise in traffic crashes nationwide and should also be avoided.