Crosswalk Safety Essentials for School Children

It seems everyday there has been another person hit by a car. Far too often these are children on their way to and from school or extra-curricular activities. Many times the outcome is not good, ending in a funeral of a life lost too young. There are times when the driver runs, a hit-and-run, that the car vs. pedestrian incident makes the news nationwide. However when the driver stops, the accident is generally only reported locally, and briefly.

So, you may wonder what can be done to protect our youth in route to school. There are a few key tools to help today's children avoid auto vs. person accidents.

Always cross at the crosswalk.

Look both ways.

Keep looking while crossing (I personally saw this save a 12 year olds life just days ago. If he hadn't looked back half way across the road, he would have been hit.)

Take out the ear buds and listen to the traffic.

These rules of safety are for everyone walking, young and old. Teach our young children about pedestrian safety and keep repeating the message as they grow - even in high school. Many older children and adults are victims every year.

Ask anyone in marketing and they will tell you that an idea needs to be heard 7 times to stick. So, keep repeating the message. Sometimes a safety message is better heard when it comes from an authority. Call your local police, sheriff or state patrols and see if they are available to come to your local schools and participate in a short pedestrian assembly. Write a letter to all of your local school principals, from grade school to high school. Let the principal know if you found a police dept with resources to help and pass on the contact info. Volunteer to help with an assembly if you can. If your local police are unable to assist, don't give up. Still write to your local schools (snail mail or email) Ask if one morning all of the teachers could spend 10 minutes reviewing pedestrian safety, stressing just how important it is. You might want to sight some local, recent examples of car vs. pedestrian accidents.

Here is a sample letter you may use:

Dear School Principal,

I am writing as a concerned local community member (or parent). I am deeply concerned about the safety of your school's walking commuters, given the recent increased rates of pedestrian vs. auto accidents, and hit and runs.

Optional - I have contacted officer/captain So-and-So at police/fire dept address, phone #, and their dept is available to participate in a short pedestrian safety assembly for your schools students.

Optional - I also am available on days/hours to help plan and/or participate in a safety assembly.

Some safety tips to mention might be:

Always us a crosswalk - jaywalking is not only unsafe, but against the law.

Look both ways, not just once, but keep looking as you cross.

Don't trust that drivers will stop - they might not see you, especially in the early morning or as it gets dark.

Listen - walking with ear buds will make the approaching car silent.

Principal, please bring up these safety concerns with our school's students soon, as they are very important.

Thank you,

Your name, email, address, phone #

PS - This letter sent in memoriam or w/ respects to local victims.

Please customize and send this letter to all of you local schools to help protect today's youth, and tomorrow's future.