By Tim Cosgrove
Child Advocacy Specialist
One of the most frightening safety risks to young children is the busy streets we live on. We have become such a mobile society that what were once quiet and isolated streets are now populated with vehicles coming and going multiple times each day. We have all been told since an early age to cross the street safely, yet everyday children are injured or killed crossing the street.
According to Utah’s 2012 crash data, there have been over 7,729 motor vehicle crashes with pedestrians in the state since 2003. Nearly every one of those pedestrians was injured and 279 pedestrians died. Recent data shows that the number of injury crashes involving a pedestrian increased for the seventh year in a row. Overall, the largest percentage of pedestrians in crashes was in the 10 to 24 year age group. The highest percentage of pedestrian deaths occurred in the 50 to 54 year age group.
Walking is an important part of remaining active, but it can be dangerous. Here are some tips From Primary Children’s Hospital to help keep your family safe while walking:
- Always cross the street with an adult, never alone, if you’re younger than 10 years old. Always stop at the curb before crossing the street.
- Always walk; never run, across the street.
- Always cross at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Always look left, right, and left again before crossing
- Always walk facing oncoming traffic if there are no sidewalks.
- Always make sure drivers see you before crossing in front of them.
- Always play in safe places. Never play in driveways, streets, parking lots or unfenced yards by the street.
- Always wear white, light, or reflective clothing when walking at night.
- Always cross at least 10 feet in front of a school bus.
