Walking To School: Crosswalk Safety Tips For Parents And Kids

Walking to school can be an enjoyable way for children to start their day. It gives them a sense of independence, provides great exercise, and is an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. However, as enjoyable as walking can be, safety is the most important factor to consider, especially when it comes to crossing streets. Unfortunately, traffic accidents involving pedestrians are a serious concern, and children are particularly vulnerable. Ensuring that your child understands crosswalk safety is essential to keeping them safe on their journey to and from school.

As a parent, you want to equip your child with the knowledge and habits they need to navigate their route safely. This includes knowing where and how to cross the street, understanding the dangers of darting out from behind parked cars, and being visible to drivers.

Understanding the Importance of Crosswalk Safety

Crosswalks are designed to give pedestrians a designated place to cross the street safely. However, even in a crosswalk, there are risks. Drivers may be distracted, speeding, or simply not paying attention, making it crucial for children to be cautious and vigilant. Teaching your child the importance of crosswalk safety goes beyond just telling them to look both ways—it’s about instilling a habit of awareness and precaution every time they approach a street.

Children are naturally impulsive, which can lead to dangerous situations, especially in traffic. By emphasizing the importance of using crosswalks and following safety rules, you can help mitigate these risks. Start by explaining to your child why these rules are in place and how they can protect them from harm.

Key Crosswalk Safety Tips

1. Use the Nearest Crosswalk

Whenever possible, always encourage your child to use the nearest crosswalk. Crosswalks are typically marked and often located at intersections where drivers are more likely to expect pedestrians. Many elementary and middle schools have crossing guards stationed near the schools, which adds an extra layer of safety for children. It’s a good idea to check with your school to find the safest routes that include crossing guards.

Recently, parents in Hillsborough County have been advocating for crossing guards at high schools as well. There’s been growing concern about the safety of older students walking to school, especially given the heavier traffic around high schools. You can learn more about this movement and how parents are pushing for these additional safety measures by reading this Bay News 9 article.

Using a crosswalk greatly reduces the chances of an accident compared to crossing at an unmarked location. Explain to your child that crosswalks are specifically designed to be safe places to cross the street and that using them is the best way to ensure drivers see them. Make it a point to show them where the crosswalks are located along their route to school, and encourage them to always use these designated spots, even if it means walking a little further.

2. Stop At the Curb

Before stepping into the street, it’s important for your child to stop at the curb or edge of the road. This gives them a moment to pause and prepare to cross safely. Rushing into the street without stopping can lead to accidents, as it doesn’t give your child or approaching drivers enough time to react.

Teach your child to stop, stand still, and focus on their surroundings before taking any further action. This pause at the curb is crucial because it allows them to assess the traffic and decide when it’s safe to cross. If there’s a crossing light, they should always wait for the “walk” signal before stepping off the curb. Even when the light changes, it’s still important to check that all cars have stopped before crossing. Remind them that just because the light is in their favor, it doesn’t mean it’s safe to cross without looking.

Some intersections also have countdown timers that show when to cross and how many seconds are left to cross. Make sure your child understands that they should not start crossing if the timer is already counting down, as they might need more time to reach the other side safely.

This simple step of stopping at the curb and waiting for the right signals can make all the difference in ensuring a safe crossing.

3. Look Left, Right, and Left Again

Once your child has stopped at the curb, the next step is to look left, right and left again before crossing. This ensures they’ve checked for any oncoming cars from all directions. The reason for looking left first is that cars closest to them will be coming from the left, but looking right and then left again provides an extra level of security.

Make sure your child understands the importance of this step and remind them to keep looking as they cross the street. Just because the road is clear when they start crossing doesn’t mean a car won’t come along while they’re in the middle of the road. Reinforce the idea that they should continue to be vigilant until they reach the other side.

4. Be Cautious of Parked Cars

Parked cars can pose a significant danger to pedestrians, especially children. A child may not see an oncoming car if they are hidden by a parked vehicle, and drivers may not see a child who suddenly appears from between parked cars. Teach your child to be especially cautious when crossing near parked cars.

If there’s a parked car blocking their view of the road, they should move to the edge of the car and look around it before crossing. Make sure they understand that they should never dart out into the street from behind a parked car without checking for traffic. This is one of the most dangerous behaviors and is a common cause of pedestrian accidents.

5. Walk, Don’t Run, Across the Street

When crossing the street, your child should always walk never run. Running increases the risk of tripping or not being able to stop if a car suddenly appears. Walking at a steady pace gives them more control and time to react to any unexpected situations.

Emphasize that rushing across the street, even when they’re in a hurry, can be dangerous. Walking allows them to stay aware of their surroundings and make safe decisions as they cross. It’s a simple habit, but one that can greatly reduce the risk of accidents.

6. Wear Bright and Reflective Clothing

Visibility is key to safety, especially during early morning hours or on cloudy days when visibility is reduced. Brightly colored clothing can help make your child more visible to drivers during the day, while reflective materials or accessories are essential for low-light conditions.

Explain to your child that wearing bright or reflective clothing isn’t just about fashion—it’s about safety. When drivers can see them more clearly, it reduces the chances of an accident. Equip them with reflective wristbands, backpacks, or shoes to ensure they’re always visible when walking to school, especially if they’re traveling in dim light.

7. Be Alert and Avoid Distractions

In today’s world, it’s easy for children to become distracted by devices like smartphones or even just by chatting with friends. However, staying alert while walking near traffic is crucial. Teach your child to avoid using their phone or other devices while walking and to focus on their surroundings instead.

Make it clear that their safety comes first and that looking out for cars, cyclists, and other pedestrians is their top priority when walking to school. Encourage them to save the texting and games for when they’re safely off the road. It’s also important that they know to remove headphones or earbuds while crossing the street to ensure they can hear any approaching vehicles.

The Dangers of Darting Out

One of the biggest dangers for young pedestrians is darting out into the street, particularly from between parked cars. Children may not fully grasp the risk this poses, thinking they can quickly run across without incident. However, drivers often don’t have enough time to react when a child suddenly appears in the roadway.

Make sure your child understands why darting out is so dangerous and emphasize the importance of crossing at designated crosswalks instead. Remind them that taking an extra minute to cross safely is always worth it compared to the potential consequences of darting out. This is a behavior that requires constant reinforcement, as children can be impulsive, especially when they’re excited or in a hurry.

Reinforcing Safe Walking Habits

Repetition is key when it comes to instilling safe walking habits in your child. Regularly review the safety tips with them and discuss any concerns they may have about their route to school. Walk with them a few times, pointing out potential hazards and practicing safe crossing together.

Create a routine where you check in with your child about their walk to and from school, asking questions about how they crossed the street and whether they felt safe. Encouraging these conversations helps reinforce the importance of the safety rules and keeps them top of mind for your child.

TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track is Here When You Need Urgent Care

While we hope your child stays safe on their walks to school, accidents can happen. If your child experiences an injury or you have any concerns about their health, TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track is here to help. With over 19 locations in the Greater Tampa Area, you’re never far from the care you need. We’re open 7 days a week between 8 am and 8 pm to ensure you can access the care you need at your convenience. Plus, our Save My Spot System allows you to fill out forms electronically for a faster check-in, so your child can get the care they need without unnecessary delays.

Keeping your child safe is our top priority, whether it’s teaching them how to cross the street safely or providing expert care when they need it. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and make every journey to school a safe one.