Unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children ages 5 to 19.
Teenagers are now at greatest risk. Teens have a death rate twice that of younger children and account for half of all child pedestrian deaths.
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.
Safety Tips
- Talk to your kids about how to be safe while walking. It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Teach kids at an early age to put down their devices and then look left, right and left again when crossing the street.
- Children under 10 should cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, it can be hard for kids to judge speed and distance of cars until age 10.
- Remind kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street and to watch out for cars that are turning or backing up.
- When driving,be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones and be on the lookout for bikers, walkers or runners who may be distracted or may step into the street unexpectedly.
Learn More
- One Mom’s Mission to End Distracted Walking
- Teens on the Move: Why Are So Many Teens Getting Hit by Cars?
- How a Chicken Crosses the Road
- Research Report: Pedestrian Safety and Teens (2013) What kids told us.
- Pedestrian Safety Tips (PDF): Download what you need to know to keep your kids safe while walking.
- Spanish Pedestrian Safety Tips (PDF): Descarga lo que necesita saber para mantener a sus hijos seguros mientras caminan.
- Research Report: Teens and Distraction (August 2013)