Pedestrian safety

We’ll help you keep your child safe wherever they go as a pedestrian. Whether waking on foot or using a wheelchair, share our useful tips with your child to make sure their journeys stay safe.

Sidewalks have rules, too

Just as we understand the rules of the road, safe sidewalk habits are learned behaviors. This is especially true for your child, as they have little to no experience navigating traffic.

We’ll help you teach your child what to do and what to watch out for as they travel about – with you or on their own.

Start with the basics

Begin by sharing simple tips about pedestrian safety in ways that your child will understand including:

• Obey all traffic signs, signals and lights.
• Walk on sidewalks when they are available.
• Don’t walk on curbs and streets.
• Cross streets only where there are designated crosswalks or crossing lines.
• Look left, right, then left again before crossing a street.
• Wait for the "WALK" signal or "white walking pedestrian" before using the crosswalk.
• Look at the "flashing timer" when approaching a crosswalk. Be sure enough time is left to safely cross a street. Tell your child to never try beating the timer.
• Cross in front of a bus, never behind it.

Be a good example

We believe there’s no more powerful reinforcement of learning behavior for children than watching adults do the same things.

Try showing instead of telling – and offering an assist here and there to help your child follow a healthy path.

Some of these can include:

• Following all traffic signs, signals and lights.
• Holding your child’s hand when crossing a street. Kids under 10 should never cross a street alone.
• Dropping your child off for school at a curb to avoid him or her running in front of or behind other cars.
• Securing all items in your child’s backpack to be sure no objects fall out – helping avoid potential accidents.

For children using a wheelchair

To aid drivers and others in seeing your child in a wheelchair on crowded walkways and streets, properly mark your child’s chair with reflective tape or lights.

For added safety during daytime travel, consider attaching a flag for increased visibility.