Our friends at Safe Kids Worldwide in the United States of America have developed a new campaign and interactive infographic focusing on simple tips to avoid being hit by a car as a child and youth. We think that much of this information is revelant to our youth audience and network to so we share it with you here.
Safe Kids Worldwide found that one in five high school students and one in eight middle school students were observed crossing the street distracted. Students were most often texting on a phone (39 percent) or using headphones (39 percent). Girls were 1.2 times more likely than boys to be walking while distracted.
Whether your kids are walking to school, the park or a friend’s house, here are a few simple tips to make sure they get there safely.
Teach Kids How to Walk Safely
- Teach kids at an early age to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Then remind them to continue looking while crossing by keeping their heads up and looking around until safely across.
- It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
- Children under 10 need to cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, most kids are unable to judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.
- Encourage kids to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up.
- Teach kids not to run or dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
- If kids are walking when it’s dark out, teach them to be especially alert and make sure they are visible to drivers. Have them wear light- or brightly-colored clothing and reflective gear.
While much of the information here is geared towards children, we think a lot of the tips in the interactive infographic can be useful and helpful for youth too! Share with your networks. Click below:
Take Action Against Distraction
- Teach kids to put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street. It is particularly important to reinforce the message with teenagers.
- Put headphones down or turn off the volume before crossing the street.
- Be aware of others who may be distracted and speak up when you see someone who is in danger.
- IKf kids need to use a cell phone, teach them to stop walking and find a safe area to talk.
Let Your Actions Speak as Loudly as Your Words
- Be a good role model. Set a good example by putting your phone, headphones and devices down when walking around cars.
- When driving, put cell phones and other distractions in the back seat or out of sight until your final destination.
- Be especially alert and slow down when driving in residential neighborhoods and school zones. Be on the lookout for bikers, walkers or runners who may be distracted or may step into the street unexpectedly.
- Give pedestrians the right of way and look both ways when making a turn to spotany bikers, walkers or runners who may not be immediately visible.
Download these tips from Safe Kids Worldwide here.