Kids Dart. Drive Smart.

08/08/2007

Kids dart into streets without checking for oncoming traffic. And because their depth perception isn't fully developed, young children can't accurately judge the distance of an approaching car.

Riley Hospital for Children partners with the community to remind motorists to slow down and take extra precautions as children return to school - a time of the year when more children are injured while playing and bicycling.

To find out how you can get involved in Riley's Kids Dart. Drive Smart. campaign, visit www.ACallToChange.org.

Answer the call. Make a change.

Motorist tips:

Even the most mature and cautious child is still a child who will occasionally become distracted and walk into traffic. As motorists, we can play a significant role in saving the life of a child.

• Decrease your speed.
• Remain alert and focused on driving.
• Be wary while driving on residential streets, especially kids darting from between parked cars.
• Obey stop signs and traffic signals.
• Watch for pedestrians when turning right at red lights.
• Before backing out, check to make sure children and their toys aren't behind your vehicle.

Pedestrian tips:

For many of us, crossing the street is part of our routine. As adults, we need to understand that even though children may know basic safety rules, they may not be ready to cross streets by themselves. Younger children lack the peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to judge an approaching car's speed and distance, along with other skills necessary to safely cross the street.

• Look before crossing the street.
• Use visual and auditory skills.
• Pay attention and resist distractions, such as talking on cell phones and listening to music.
• Process information and use good judgment.

Parent tips:

Many experts agree children less than 10 years of age do not have the skills necessary to safely cross a street without a responsible adult or older child present. Many parents overestimate the ability of their children to navigate safely in traffic. For children with physical or developmental delays, it may take even longer to acquire pedestrian skills.

Parents, please remind your children to:

• Look left, right, left again, and behind before crossing the street.
• Listen before crossing the street.
• Be aware of "blind spots," that motorists can't always see them while driving.
• Use safe crossing areas - together with your children, create a plan to identify safe walking areas.
• Use sidewalks which are generally safe areas to walk.
• Use crosswalks.

Community changes:

Parents and motorists play an important role in decreasing child pedestrian injuries.

To find out how your neighborhood can get involved in the Kids Dart. Drive Smart. Campaign, visit www.ACallToChange.org.

Communities may wish to consider the following:

• Traffic "calming devices" posting motorists' speeds
• Additional crosswalks, traffic signals and stop signs
• Speed limit enforcements
• Creating adequate green space
• Appropriate sidewalk designs
• Zoning to promote safety