When you kiss your daughter goodbye every morning before she walks to school, you hope the day will bring her great things. You want her to learn something new, have fun, and show everyone just how amazing and smart she is. You also hope she makes it to school and back home safely.
The sad reality is some kids who leave home never make it to their destinations. The lives of pedestrians are put in danger every day. In fact, in 2012, a shocking 4,743 pedestrians were killed and around 76,000 were injured due to accidents with vehicles.
Keeping Your Children Safe
If you’re unable to accompany your youngsters on their treks to school, you can provide them with advice that could keep them safe, including:
Limit distractions.
You’d be hard-pressed to see a teenager walking outside without ear buds dangling from his ears or a phone in his hand. And although listening to music or texting a friend may seem like a great way to keep yourself entertained while walking, it’s actually very dangerous. Looking down at a phone or paying more attention to what is playing in your ears than what is going on around you puts you at risk for getting injured.
Walk in groups.
When children walk in packs, there’s an increased chance that someone will spot a potential danger than if a child is walking alone. It is also easier for drivers to see a group of walkers than a loner. An important caveat to keep in mind, however, is that talking with friends while walking can also divert attention, so make sure your child knows that keeping his eyes on the road is far more important than engaging in conversation.
Find the safest route.
Unfortunately, some children are forced to cross busy roads on their ways to and from school. If possible, attempt to find a route that limits traffic exposure. Crossing roads is one of the main reasons children are hit by vehicles. If he must cross a busy road, ensure that he does so at a crosswalk.
When the Worst Occurs
Unfortunately, you can’t control the motorists who drive around your child, which means even if he does everything he is supposed to, a negligent driver could strike him and cause a major accident.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Pedestrian Accident?
If you've been injured in a pedestrian accident you should speak with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.
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