Parents
Set a Good Example for Your Children
Children learn by watching and imitating. Your actions as a driver, pedestrian and bicyclist speak louder than your words of caution. So set a good example.
Do Not Allow Your Children to Play in the Street
Instead encourage them to use their own yard, a nearby park, or a school playground for their games and activities. Caution children not to dart into the street in pursuit of a pet, ball or loose skateboard. Remind them to stop at the curb and enter the street only when it is safe to do so. Remember streets were designed for vehicular travel not as a playground.
Caution Children to Stay Alert While Crossing Any Street
Although vehicles are supposed to stop for pedestrians crossing the street, some drivers are in a hurry or are careless and fail to do so. Painted crosswalks cannot protect pedestrians from these drivers, but caution can. Tell children to cross the street quickly and to continue watching and listening for vehicles until they are safely on the curb at the other side. Remember, before you cross the street:
Plan a direct route to and from school. Look for routes that minimize the need to cross streets. Walk with your child and point out places where they need to be especially careful. Younger children may have difficulty judging speeds and distances, and should be accompanied until they can gain experience.
Walk to School When You Can
Driving your children to school only increases the traffic congestion around schools. If you must drive, try to carpool and remember:
Children learn by watching and imitating. Your actions as a driver, pedestrian and bicyclist speak louder than your words of caution. So set a good example.
Do Not Allow Your Children to Play in the Street
Instead encourage them to use their own yard, a nearby park, or a school playground for their games and activities. Caution children not to dart into the street in pursuit of a pet, ball or loose skateboard. Remind them to stop at the curb and enter the street only when it is safe to do so. Remember streets were designed for vehicular travel not as a playground.
Caution Children to Stay Alert While Crossing Any Street
Although vehicles are supposed to stop for pedestrians crossing the street, some drivers are in a hurry or are careless and fail to do so. Painted crosswalks cannot protect pedestrians from these drivers, but caution can. Tell children to cross the street quickly and to continue watching and listening for vehicles until they are safely on the curb at the other side. Remember, before you cross the street:
- Stop, look and listen
- Use your eyes
- Use your ears
- And then use your feet
Plan a direct route to and from school. Look for routes that minimize the need to cross streets. Walk with your child and point out places where they need to be especially careful. Younger children may have difficulty judging speeds and distances, and should be accompanied until they can gain experience.
Walk to School When You Can
Driving your children to school only increases the traffic congestion around schools. If you must drive, try to carpool and remember:
- Do not double park at the school or let children out in the middle of the street.
- Make sure that your child enters and exits the vehicle on the curb side only
- Obey the rules of the road, observe the speed limit
- Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians