A healthy walk to school has to start with safety. The physical environment, drivers, and a pedestrian’s own
behavior all play a role in safety. What safe walking skills do children need
to know? Keep in mind that children learn by watching others; so modeling safe
pedestrian behavior is the best way to teach these valuable skills.
Consider
these tips for Walk to School Day and every day:
1.
Choose routes that provide space to
walk and bicycle and have the least amount of traffic and lowest speeds.
2.
Obey all traffic signs and signals.
3.
Look for traffic at all driveways and
intersections.
4.
If possible, cross at a crosswalk.
5.
Stop at the curb and look for traffic
in all directions (left, right, left, to the front and behind). At an
intersection, it is important to look in front and behind to check for turning
vehicles. The second look to the left is to re-check for traffic that is
closest to the pedestrian.
6.
Wait until no traffic is coming and
start crossing: keep looking for traffic while crossing the road.
7.
Walk across the road. Do not run.
8.
Wear reflective gear if it is dark or
if conditions like rain or snow limit visibility.
9.
Encourage adults to talk with kids
about what traffic safety decisions they are making and why as they walk and
bicycle together.
10.
Remind your child ‘daily’ to get off their
bicycle at the railroad tracks at the painted line and look both ways, being
EXTRA careful at the railroad tracks. If the lights are blinking, they SHOULD
NOT cross!
-Dr.
Paula Sissel
Superintendent/Elementary
Principal