Your child's first steps represent the beginning of his independence, with each step guiding him along life's journey. Yet, from that day forward you will want to make sure that the path your child chooses to walk is a safe one. Pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages five to nine. Each year, nearly 800 children ages 14 and under die in pedestrian incidents and another 29,000 are injured in traffic-related crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most young children are struck near their homes in streets or driveways.
Parents tend to overestimate their child's ability to cross a street.
Parents and care givers should teach pedestrian safety messages that are appropriate for their child's age group. It should be emphasized to children that vehicles are not toys, nor are they friendly characters, as they are often shown on television. Safety rules for preschoolers should stress staying away from roadways unless they are with a responsible adult. Parents and care givers need to demonstrate safe pedestrian behavior to set a good example for their children every time they are crossing the street with their child. The Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition recommends that children ages four and under be supervised by an adult when playing outdoors.