The busy roads and highways of Trenton can make the area a dangerous place for pedestrians to walk to and from work, school, or anywhere else. In fact, according to a pamphlet from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), New Jersey had over 100 pedestrian fatality accidents in 2009 alone.
Unfortunately, a large portion of children is included in those numbers. A factsheet on 2011 traffic data produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that children under the age of 14 made up five percent of the total pedestrian fatalities, with those aged eight to 14 being at the highest risk.
Share these safety tips for children with your kids before they head off to school.
Sidewalks Are the Only Place to Walk
For some children, it may be enticing to walk to school on or near the road, whether for the sake of convenience or because their friends use the road as a walkway. This can be extremely dangerous though, as motorists may not see a small child along the side, especially over any high snow banks during winter months.
If at any point during the trip to school a sidewalk is no longer available, children should walk on the left side of the street, facing oncoming traffic. This allows them to see cars that are approaching so that they can get out of the way if one begins to drift. But parents should aim to find a safe route to school where sidewalks are always available.
Look Both Ways
This may be a well-known tip, but it still remains important to this day. When crossing the street, your children should always look both left and right at least once before stepping forward. Additionally, street crossing should only occur at stop signs, stoplights, or other designated crosswalks.
Walk with Others
If they can, your children should walk to school with other kids. Some parents may even accompany younger children to school. A motorist is more likely to be aware of a large group of individuals than a single child on the path.
Learn the Signs on the Street
Teach your kids what each street sign along their route means. Street signs stay consistent as long as there are no changes occurring to the road or the surrounding areas.
But if a new construction project begins along the path to school, or if any new signs are added, it is important that your children understand their meanings so that they can stay safe when walking. The NHTSA provides pedestrians with a comprehensive guide to street signs that you can show to your kids.
Contact an Attorney if Your Child Has Been Injured
It is important to do as much as possible to keep your kids safe when they walk to school and give them some safety tips. Sometimes though, even the wariest of children may still be injured in a car accident. In this situation, it is important to retain the services of a legal professional who can advise you of your rights and help you achieve the outcome you desire.
If your child has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact the attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC. We can help you file a claim in Trenton so you can recover compensation for injury. Call us today at 215-642-2335 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
