“Walk this Way” for a safe back to school, says Safe Kids Canada
With kids across the country heading back to school, Safe Kids Canada is reminding everyone to ensure children can walk safely to and from school on our neighbourhood streets.Child pedestrian incidents are a leading cause of death for Canadian children under the age of 14. Every year more than 30 children are killed and 2,400 are seriously injured. Most incidents happen between 3 – 6 p.m., when drivers are coming home from work, and children may be walking home from school.“We can all help to keep kids safe while they walk in their communities,” says Pamela Fuselli, executive director of Safe Kids Canada. “When drivers slow down, and when parents take every opportunity to teach their children about pedestrian safety, these injuries can be prevented.”Walk this Way recommends:
For drivers: Slow your speed. A child hit by a car traveling at 50 km/h has an 80 percent chance of being killed. Yet a child hit by a car traveling at 30 km/h has a 95 percent chance of surviving.For parents:
- Walk with your children and teach them the pedestrian safety rules every single time.
- Teach them to look left, look straight into the intersection, look right and repeat before crossing the street.
- Encourage your child to cross at the intersection.
- Teach your child that parked cars can block a driver’s view.
For more information on child pedestrian safety, including brochures and fact sheets visit http://www.safekidscanada.ca/ or call the safe tips line at 1-888-SAFE-TIPS (723-3847).
