Going back to school means more cars on the road, and more congestion. Teaching children road safety is a valuable lesson they should learn at the beginning of every school year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one in every five children under the age of 14 who were killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians.
It’s very important for drivers to slow down and pay attention when kids are present. By being extra careful and cautious, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.
Here are some easy back to school safety tips for you and your family:
- Teach your children to recognize and obey all traffic signals and pavement markings.
- Always look both ways before crossing the street.
- Try and choose the safest route between your home and school.
- Practice walking to school with your children until they can demonstrate traffic safety awareness.
- If your child is walking to school, make sure he or she walks with other students.
- Make sure your children know to cross the street at designated crosswalks and traffic controlled intersections.
- Always walk across the street with a crossing guard if available.
- Children biking, skateboarding, or using a scooter to get to school should always wear a helmet.
Schools will have specific drop-off procedures during the school year, and it is important that you and your family understand them. Every hour, nearly 150 children between the ages of 0-19 are treated for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes, according to the CDC. By following these safety tips and sharing the road with young children, school buses, and bicyclists, you will help keep children and others safe throughout the year.
For more information on school safety measures, visit the National Safety Council’s website.
