Children and Pedestrian Safety:
In 2011, The Red Cross Children’s Hospital admitted 752 children involved in crashes as pedestrians.
Parents and caregivers need to take special care and follow simple steps to ensure child road safety:
- Teach children safe traffic behaviour and set a good example.
- Check regularly to ensure that children remember and follow safety procedures.
- Plan safe walking and cycling routes with children.
- Enquire about road safety education programmes at school and reinforce what the schools are teaching.
Simple Steps can be taken to be a Safer Pedestrian:
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Wear bright coloured clothing and reflective materials.
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Cross in a well-lit area at night.
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Stand clear of buses or parked cars before crossing the road so drivers can see you.
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Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing oncoming traffic.
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Do not drink and cross the road.
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Do not cross where a road bends or leads to a sharp curve.
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Do not rely on pedestrian signals; look for oncoming traffic before crossing.
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Be aware of other road users, especially at intersections.
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Do not wear headphones or talk on your cell phone whilst crossing the road.
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Cross at pedestrian crossings.
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Always obey traffic signals.
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Wait for buses or heavy motor vehicles to pass before crossing the road.
