Reading,
writing and arithmetic may be on the minds of kids heading back to school, but
walking safely?
According
to a study released today by Safe Kids Worldwide and FedEx, child
pedestrian injuries are the highest in September.
The
study, which examines 15 year trends in child pedestrian injuries and deaths in
the U.S., reported some positive findings and some startling ones; overall, the
number of children injured or killed is down, but the most kids at risk today
has shifted to a surprising demographic: teenagers.
**Infographic on the key
survey findings**
Key Report Findings
·
Back to school time requires extra vigilance for kids and
drivers
o
More
children are hit by cars in September than any other month
o
The
number of injuries is highest in months when most students end and begin school
(June, August and September)
·
Teenagers are now the most at-risk youth for pedestrian
injuries
o
This
is a shift from 5-9 year olds to 16-19 year olds in the last 15 years
o
The
death rate among older teens is now twice that of younger children
o
Safe
Kids hypothesizes that distractions from digital devices could be a cause
o
The
youngest walkers, those 1 and 2 years old, are also vulnerable because of their
new mobility. Death among children in that age group are second only to
teenagers.
·
Overall, the number of children injured or killed while
walking has decreased in the last 15 years
o
Child
pedestrian deaths are down 53% and injuries are down 44%
o
Still,
more than 61 child pedestrians are injured every day and 500 killed every year
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
I wouldn't of thought it would be the older kids who got hit the most. Maybe they are out later in the dark too! Cars seem to never obey the speed limit and that makes it worse. Thanks for the information. Great advice too! Rita Spratlen rjspratlen@gmail.com
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