Children regularly walk with traffic nearby, which can be incredibly dangerous (especially when one considers the number of intoxicated drivers on the road and the prevalence of speeding). Moreover, certain roads can be particularly dangerous for young pedestrians, such as those which do not offer key safety features such as reduced speed limits and infrastructure that accommodates the needs of pedestrians. It is important for communities, schools and parents to be aware of the dangers that children face while walking and take steps to prevent these accidents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined some measures that can be taken to lessen the likelihood of a pedestrian accident involving a child. For example, schools should have programs in place that educate children about the dangers they face on the road. Traffic enforcement near schools is critical, and crossings, as well as sidewalks in these areas, should be suitable for young pedestrians. It is also very helpful for young pedestrians to be escorted to school by volunteers or parents.
There are other steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of a pedestrian accident for children and pedestrians of all ages. For example, raised sidewalks, sufficient chances to cross the road safely, raised sidewalks and pedestrian signals that are audible can make the roads much safer for pedestrians. Tragically, pedestrian accidents will keep happening, no matter how many preventative measures are taken. Many lives have been lost due to these accidents and far more pedestrians have sustained debilitating injuries in accidents across the country, often because of careless drivers.
