Rules of the Road

Teach children the rules of the road

Pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of accidental injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. The Wichita Area Safe Kids Coalition, is part of the National Safe Kids Campaign,which is dedicated solely to the prevention of childhood injury. Safe Kids offers these tips for helping keep all kids safe:

• Never allow children under 10 to cross the street alone.
• Teach children to recognize and obey all traffic signals and markings. A flashing "walk" sign means they must stop and look both ways for cars before entering the street.
• Teach children to cross the street only at a corner or crosswalk. Make sure they stop first at the curb and look in all directions before crossing the street - and never enter the street from between parked cars or from behind bushes. Teach them to obey crossing guards and walk, not run, across intersections.
• Warn children to be extra alert in bad weather. Visibility might be poor and motorists might not be able to see them or stop quickly.
• Demonstrate proper pedestrian safety by being a good role model.
• Make sure children know the safest route to their destination. Look for the most direct route with the fewest street crossings. Walk the route with children until they demonstrate traffic safety awareness and make sure children take the same safe route every time.
• Children should always wear retro-reflective materials and carry a flashlight if walking at dawn and dusk. Nearly half of child pedestrian deaths occur between 4 and 8 pm.