Pedestrian Safety

More than 90,000 Missouri children were injured in 1999 as a result of pedestrian/vehicle accidents.

Many injuries can be prevented when safety precautions are follow all the time. For starters, set a good example for kids. Safety is not natural, but must be learned from adults. These are some good things that you should do all the time as a good example:

• I cross at a corner. I use signals and crosswalks when they are there.
• I make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• I look left, right and left again before crossing. I keep looking as I cross.
• I walk across streets. I don’t run.
• I walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, I face traffic and stay left.
• I watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• I do not use electronics (for texting, headphones, iPad, etc.) when approaching an intersection or crossing the street.

Here is a good teaching checklist for when you're talking to children about being a safe pedestrian and for when you're out and about:

• I teach kids all of the safe walking rules I follow.
• I never allow kids under 10 years old to cross streets alone.
• I tell kids never to run into the street for any reason. They shouldn’t chase a ball, a pet or anything else.
• I make sure kids use direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• I teach kids to cross 10 feet in front of the school bus, never behind.
• I make sure kids play in safe places like yards, parks and playgrounds. Kids should never play in the street.
• I hold kids’ hands in the parking lot and while crossing the street.
• I keep kids from walking alone when it’s hard to be seen. That includes dawn, dusk and rainy and foggy weather.
• I make sure kids can be seen by having them wear retro-reflective materials that bounce back light.

Safe Kids Worldwide's International Walk to School Day

Every October, millions of children from around the world participate in Safe Kids Walk This Way events for International Walk to School Day. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness about walking safety while promoting healthy behavior. International Walk to School Day began in 1999, and since the beginning, more than 8.2 million children from 10,000 schools, globally, have celebrated in the largest, most widespread event. If you are interested in hosting a walk to school event, contact Safe Kids St. Louis at 314-678-5474 #2.