International Walk to School Month: Teaching Kids About Pedestrian Safety
Every October is International Walk to School Month. This is an annual, global initiative to promote the benefits of walking or biking to school. While walking to school can have numerous benefits, there is also an increased risk of pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. The Kansas personal injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group explain how you can acknowledge International Walk to School Month in your community and offer ways to teach kids about pedestrian safety.
Benefits of International Walk to School Month
The goal of Walk to School Month is to encourage more students to walk or bike to school, even if it is just for one day. There are many benefits to walking and biking to school, including:
- Improved physical health: walking and biking are great ways to get exercise, which is essential for children’s growth and development.
- Reduced traffic congestion: when more students walk or bike to school, there are fewer cars on the road, which reduces traffic congestion and air pollution.
- Learning about safety: walking and biking to school can help students learn about road safety and how to navigate their community safely.
- Enhanced community spirit: Walk to School Month is a great way for students, parents, and community members to come together and celebrate the importance of active transportation.
- Child development: allowing your child to walk or bike to school can help them develop a sense of independence and responsibility.
How Can I Participate in Walk to School Month?
Besides walking or biking to school, there are a few ways to help celebrate Walk to School Month in your community, such as:
- Organize a walk to school event at your child’s school
- Encourage your child to walk to school on their own or with a friend
- Volunteer to help with a walk to school event in your community
- Contact your local government to advocate for safe walking and biking infrastructure like sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes
- Start a walking or biking club in your community
- Spread the word about Walk to School Month on social media by using the hashtag #WalktoSchoolMonth
Eseential Pedestrian Safety Tips for Kids
Teaching kids about pedestrian safety is one of the most important things you can do to keep them safe, especially as they start to become more independent. The following tips apply to multiple age groups and are great reminders for adults too.
- Start early: the earlier you start teaching kids about pedestrian safety, the better. Even young children can learn basic safety rules, such as looking both ways before crossing the street.Tailor your teaching to your child’s age and developmental level. Younger children may need more concrete examples and instructions, while older children may be ready for more abstract discussions about safety.
- Don’t forget older kids and teenagers: it doesn’t hurt to remind older children and teenagers of basic pedestrian safety, especially distracted walking. If you have a teen driver, remind them to avoid dangerous behaviors like distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding, which can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.
- Be a good role model: children learn by watching the adults in their lives. Make sure you are following all pedestrian safety rules yourself. This includes crossing at crosswalks, obeying traffic signals, and putting away your phone while walking.
- Talk about pedestrian safety in everyday situations: when you are out walking with your kids, take the opportunity to practice pedestrian safety rules. For example, show them how to look both ways before crossing the street and how to use a crosswalk.
- Teach visibility: this means wearing bright clothing and reflective gear, especially at night. This is especially important during rainy weather and the darker autumn season. Teach them that using sidewalks and crosswalks can also increase their visibility to drivers.
- Remind children to always be aware of their surroundings: kids should be taught to pay attention to traffic, pedestrians, and other hazards while they are walking. They should also be taught to be careful when walking in parking lots and other areas where there is a lot of traffic.
- Teach your children situational pedestrian safety: teach your kids about pedestrian safety in specific situations, such as walking to school, walking in a parking lot, or walking in a group, which is especially important when participating in Walk to School Month.
When to Contact Patterson Legal Group
International Walk to School Month is an excellent program to promote the benefits of active transportation and to improve road safety. Teaching your children the pedestrian safety tips mentioned above can ensure they can participate safely. Even if you and your children are practicing safe behaviors, it doesn’t mean others are, which is when accidents happen. If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, our team of personal injury lawyers can help.
Patterson Legal Group has more than 75 years of combined experience successfully representing injury victims in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. We have a track record of winning superior settlements for our clients. Our firm offers free consultations and works on a “no win, no fee” basis, which means that you do not pay a dime unless money has been recovered on your behalf.
To get started on your free consultation, call us 24/7 at (816) 920-0000. You can also fill out this contact form or reach out via LiveChat.
