Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian injury remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. Our program assesses pedestrian risks in school areas and teaches children and parents how to be safe when walking to school. Steps are then taken to improve crosswalks, create safe routes to school and improve drop-off zones. Pedestrian workshops are offered to teach both children and parents safer practices

Walking safely tips

Tips for walkers

• Developmentally, most kids can't judge speeds and distances until at least age 10, so younger kids need to cross with an adult
• Did you know most walking injuries happen mid-block or someplace other than intersections? Whenever possible, cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks
• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, and keep looking and listening while crossing
• Walk, don't run, when crossing the street
• It's always best to walk on sidewalks or paths, but if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible
• Remove headphones when crossing the street
• If you need to use your phone, stop walking
• Distraction among drivers is at an all-time high today, so try to make eye contact with the driver before you step into the road

Tips for drivers

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones, before and after school hours
• Most walkers are injured mid-block, not at intersections, so watch out for kids who may dart into traffic or cross where they shouldn't
• Give pedestrians the right of way at a crosswalk
• Using cell phones, even hands-free, makes it harder for drivers to be alert to walkers who may also be distracted on cell phones