With Halloween just around the corner we thought it would be a good idea to remind all the parents and drivers of some safety tips as the young ones fill our streets!
For the kids
Teach them how to safely cross streets. They should look both ways and cross only at corners and crosswalks.
Keep it light! Give them flashlights and glow sticks, and/or use reflective tape on their costumes, so drivers can see them.
Keep it slow: Walk don’t run especially around busy streets. This gives you and the drivers more time to react should you need to!
Obey the rules of the road: As pedestrians you should always obey traffic signals and give right of way as needed. When crossing at a crosswalk make sure to press the button and proceed when directed.
For the Drivers
Be careful when pulling out of your driveway: Every year children are killed or injured needlessly by drivers backing out of their driveways and don’t see them through the rear window.
Drive slowly and don’t pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off kids, and they may not think to check for oncoming vehicles!
Watch for kids running into the street. Kids will cross the street anywhere and not wait for the pedestrian crossing or corner. Many pedestrian deaths occur at spots other than intersections.
Yield! Children might not stop, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or don’t know how to safely cross the street or simply are too excited to remember.
Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals, and if you pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.
Mind the weather: Rain makes it harder to see, especially when it gets darker, and it takes longer to stop in the rain.