As both a parent and pedestrian, you know how important it is to ensure the safety of your family when navigating streets and crosswalks. But for children, familiarizing themselves with basic pedestrian safety rules can be a daunting task.
To help prepare them for any street-crossing adventures they may go on in life, we’ve compiled some tips on how to properly educate kids about staying safe as pedestrians. Read on for more information so that you—as parents—can confidently share this vital knowledge with your children and relay the importance of exercising caution while crossing roads.
The Importance of Teaching Kids Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian safety is an important topic to discuss with children. It is a way of equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become safe, competent, and confident pedestrians. Teaching kids pedestrian safety provides them with essential life skills which can help them avoid dangerous situations while out on foot. Kids need to understand that they should stay aware of their surroundings when walking and take extra care when crossing roads, at intersections, in parking lots, or around construction sites.
- Teaching kids about pedestrian safety should start from a young age. Children need to be taught how to properly cross streets. They should be able to recognize signs, signals, and pavement markings that indicate where it is safe to cross. They also need to know when and where it is not safe to cross the road. For example, crossing mid-block or in between parked cars. Teaching kids about being visible is also important. This includes wearing brightly colored clothes during the day and reflective clothing during the night.
- Children should be taught how to obey traffic signals and follow basic rules of the road. This includes stopping at stop signs and signal lights, looking both ways before crossing the street, and always using sidewalks or paths wherever possible. Another aspect of teaching kids pedestrian safety involves educating them on how to interact with vehicles on the road. For example, avoiding distractions, such as headphones or texting devices, when crossing streets so that they remain aware of their surroundings.
- It’s important that parents set a good example by following all pedestrian safety rules themselves. This will help ensure that children understand why these measures are important and reinforce positive behavior. By teaching kids proper pedestrian safety habits from an early age, we can help equip them with essential life skills needed to safely navigate their environment while on foot.
How to Teach Kids How to Cross the Street Safely
When it comes to safety on the roads, proper street-crossing techniques are essential for all pedestrians. While some people may think that crossing a street is as simple as looking both ways and walking across, there are actually several steps involved in crossing safely, including:
- The first step to take when crossing the street is to look both ways before you step off of the curb. Make sure that you check both directions so that you can be aware of any cars or other vehicles that might be approaching.
- Once you make sure the way is clear, it's important to use caution when crossing the street and always remain attentive of your surroundings. Don't just look straight ahead. Be sure to glance over your shoulders periodically to assess any changes in traffic while you're crossing.
- Additionally, it's important that you walk across the street instead of running or jogging, as these activities can make it difficult for drivers to see and react quickly enough if they have to adjust their speed.
- Finally, make sure that all children are supervised by an adult when crossing streets and never allow them to cross alone until they have been taught proper street-crossing techniques and understand how dangerous it can be if done incorrectly.
By following these tips, pedestrians of all ages will be able to stay safe when crossing any type of street.
If you or a loved one is the victim of a pedestrian accident, give Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC a call at (843) 968-0886 or reach out to us online for help. Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Charleston provide free, no-obligation consultations.