Child Pedestrian Accidents And How They Can Be Avoided

With schools back in session across the country, we can expect to see a rise in child pedestrian accidents as students walk to and from school and bus stops. While many Florida drivers have encountered children making their way around town on the way to different summer activities, there is more risk of being involved in a child pedestrian accident in the fall now that school has started.

Why is there more risk? The times in which children are making their way to and from schools and bus stops coincide with rush-hour traffic. Early morning glare is another issue many morning drivers face while commuting to work, and it can be because of the sun, seasonal rain, and even fog.

Pedestrian Accidents In Florida

Since Florida generally sees mild weather all year round, more people resort to walking from one place to another. Florida is one of five states accounting for nearly half of pedestrian deaths across the entire country.
The busier metropolitan streets are the more dangerous areas for pedestrians because of the increased traffic on them. Those areas also account for more than 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in the US, which is news that many parents definitely do not like to hear.

Common Dangers

Some of the more common dangers for child pedestrians include crossing at intersections, even in designated crosswalks; walking in dim light like in the early morning and evening; and walking anywhere near parked cars, including parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks. The risk seems to be greater for those under the age of fourteen because younger children are less experienced when it comes to walking near traffic areas.

Preventing Child Pedestrian Injury

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most pedestrian accident victims are teens and young children. Many of those accidents are unavoidable; however, a little education can go a long way in reducing your child's risk of becoming injured.

Be Prepared

When walking along the road, you should be prepared. That means you need to make sure that your child is visible to drivers. Bright clothing should be worn during the day, and reflective vests and other reflective accessories should be worn at night to increase visibility.

If the visibility in the area is low, consider giving them a flashlight so they have adequate lighting during their walk. If they have a bike, lighting is also important to have as it will allow them to see what’s in front of them. The light in front should be white, and the one behind should be red so they are visible from either direction.

Provide Education

Before allowing your children to walk to and from school, it is also a must to educate them and teach them how to properly use sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Encourage your child to walk on the sidewalk. If they can't and must walk in the street, then they need to be taught to travel in the opposite direction of traffic.

When you take the time to educate your children about road safety, they are less at risk of getting into an accident. It teaches them how to spot distracted drivers and other dangers and can help keep them much safer. In addition, make sure they know only to cross at designated crosswalks and obey the crossing signals at all times.

If you follow these steps, your child will be out of harm’s way, and you will have peace of mind. However, accidents do still happen. If your child was injured in an accident due to the negligence of a driver, then contact a personal injury attorney today. They can investigate your case and advise you on how to proceed.