When educating children about traffic safety, remember that they are not mini-adults!  Most children below the age of 12 do not understand how fast cars can go and have no sense of danger.  Children are often impulsive; they don't stop to think of the safety of a movement.  

1.  Listen to traffic monitors.  Children need to be reminded to obey the school safety patrol, crossing guard, or police officer when walking near a school.

2.  Cross streets at a corner.  They should use crosswalks whenever possible.  Teach them to check for approaching vehicles before crossing even with the green light or "walk" sign on.

4.  Know what the traffic signs mean.  Teach children to recognize and obey all traffic signals and markings.  A flashing "walk" sign is not an automatic "go" signal.  It means a pedestrian has permission to cross, but must first stop and look both ways for cars.

4.  Make sure children allow plenty of time to cross.  Teach them to walk, not run, across intersections.  

5.  Hold hands when crossing the street.  Make sure children under age 10 are supervised when crossing the street and hold their hands.  You may also need to supervise older children, especially when they cross streets with heavy traffic or more than two lanes.

6.  Walk on the proper side of the street.  Teach children to walk facing in the direction of on-coming traffic if no sidewalks are available.

7.  Wear light-colored clothing.  If children are walking at dawn, at dusk, or after dark they will be able to be seen more easily.  Even better, wear reflective tape (placed diagonally across the back) and carry a flashlight.

8.  Warn children to be extra alert in bad weather. Visibility might be poor and motorists might not be able to see them or stop quickly.

9.  Supervise young children.  Do not leave them alone to play, especially near a street or the driveway.  Make sure that the children's play area is at least 200 feet from any dangerous area (such as a street, driveway, a vacant lot, or water).  If it is within 200 feet, the play area should be fenced.

10.  Keep an eye on children even while indoors.  Make sure that doors leading to the outside of the house, including garage doors, cannot be opened by young children.  This will help prevent children from getting out of the house unnoticed by their parents and being injured in traffic.

11. Be a good role model.  Children need you to show them how to be safe pedestrians. Tell older kids how important it is to be good role models.

*Select here to view the Back-to-School Safety Checklist

For more information please call (213) 351-7888

Last modified on 09/18/03