October marks International Walk to School Month, which is meant to encourage kids and families to walk and bike to school each day. While there are many benefits to walking or biking to school, it can also come with safety concerns.
According to SafeKids.org, more than 15,000 kids are injured while walking to school in the U.S. each year. SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo Environmental Health and Safety Specialist Safety Officer Dave Kitkowski offers safety tips for families – and drivers – to keep everyone safe on the road.
Look both ways and use crosswalks — but don’t assume you’re seen
Start teaching your kids to look left, right, then left again before crossing the street and remind them to always continue looking both directions until they safely cross the street.
If there is more than one lane of traffic, make sure your kids continue to watch for cars and understand that just because one car stops doesn’t mean cars in other lanes of traffic will stop, too. Encourage kids to use traffic signals and crosswalks when they are available, but don’t treat them like force fields.
“Always remember that drivers are humans, too,” says Kitkowski. “They won’t always see crosswalks or people walking in them – so it’s important to stay alert when you’re using a crosswalk.”
The same goes for school zones. You may have a false sense that these are safe areas, but during busy drop-off and pick-up hours parents and children are rushing around and not always paying close attention to the road.
Make eye contact with the driver
Even if the child has the right of way, teach them to make eye contact with the driver so both parties are aware of each other.
Eyes up, phones down
Be attentive when walking to avoid tripping or, worse, walking into traffic. Teach kids to put phones, headphones and other devices down when crossing the street.
Being distracted by technology while walking is becoming a major cause of pedestrian accidents.
Walk in a group
Safety in numbers works well in two ways:
- A group of students may be more visible to drivers than a single student.
- Groups provide personal safety from someone who may wish to do harm to a student.
“Remember to teach your kids not to take rides or go near cars with strangers,” says Kitkowski.
Walk on sidewalks or paths
Sidewalks and paths are always the best choice when walking to and from school. Remember to cross streets at marked street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks when available.
If there aren’t any sidewalks on your route to school, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
In case of unintentional injury from tripping or falling – and to prevent getting lost – don’t take secluded shortcuts.
Be visible
Make it easy for drivers to see you. Students should wear some form of clothing, backpack, or other item that is reflective. Or, bring along a light to shine as they walk, especially as daylight hours can shift dramatically in fall and winter months.
Cycle safely
Once they’re old enough, many kids may choose to bike to school. This is a great option! Make sure your young cyclist remembers some basic safety rules when he or she heads to school:
1. Always wear a helmet. Bike helmets significantly reduce the chance of brain injury. Make sure helmets are snug, but not tight, with the brim about an inch to an inch and a half above your child’s eyebrows.
2. Cyclists must obey motor vehicle laws like yielding to pedestrians, stopping at stop signs, signaling turns, and traveling with the flow of traffic.
3. Other bike-to-school tips are similar to what kids should do when walking to school:
- Wear bright or reflective clothing
- Make eye contact with drivers
- Stay on sidewalks or bike paths whenever possible
- Be alert
- Use crosswalks
- Don’t cross the road between parked cars
Other things to remember
“You know your child best. If they are not ready to walk to or from school – because of the distance, busy streets or any other reason – use your best judgment,” says Kitkowski
Once kids are ready to walk to and from school, encourage them to walk in groups instead of making the trip alone. And, in case of emergency, make sure that contact information for a parent or responsible adult is easy for first responders to find.
Learn more about pediatric care at SSM Health.
