| Here are the most common ways children get in | | | | do allow children in this area, only allow them to play |
| harm's way in traffic and how to prevent them from | | | | there when there are no vehicles present. |
| happening: | | | | - To further protect children playing on your driveway, |
| - A child darting out into street at corner or mid-block. | | | | separate the driveway from the roadway with a |
| This type of accident usually happens in neighborhoods | | | | barrier to prevent any cars from entering. |
| where children are at play. A ball might bounce into the | | | | - Make sure your children are properly supervised at all |
| street and a youngster chases after it. It is important to | | | | times, especially when near moving vehicles. |
| teach children that before retrieving a ball or any | | | | - Teach children to NEVER play in, around, or under |
| object in the street, they should ask an adult for help. | | | | vehicles - ever. |
| - Vehicle turning into path of a child. Children often think | | | | - Teach by explaining and be a role model. |
| that a green light or WALK signal means there's no | | | | - Demonstrate to your child the safe way you cross a |
| danger. Teach your child to be responsible and | | | | street. Say, "When I cross a street, I always stop at |
| cautious no matter what signs or signals say. | | | | the curb. I look and listen for cars. I look left for any |
| - Child hidden from view by an ice cream truck. When | | | | traffic coming, and then I look right for traffic coming |
| an ice cream truck passes by, anxious and excited | | | | that way. Then I look left again for any traffic coming. |
| children may forget about traffic and run into the | | | | When it is clear, I cross the street, and keep looking left |
| street. Teach your child to never run into the street, no | | | | and right and listening for cars coming." |
| matter what the circumstances. | | | | - You can also explain how to look and listen for |
| - Child hidden from view by a bus/driver does not stop. | | | | vehicles where they may be backing up (out of a |
| Every state requires traffic in both directions to stop | | | | driveway, parking lot, on the street, etc). Say, |
| on undivided highways when students are entering or | | | | "Sometimes I can hear trucks backing up because |
| exiting a school bus. Children who must cross the | | | | they make a loud beeping sound to warn me. I also |
| street after exiting the bus should be taught to walk to | | | | can look for a car or truck moving backward, and I |
| the edge of the bus, look left-right-left, and cross when | | | | can look and see white lights in the back of the car |
| the road is clear and the bus driver has signaled it is | | | | that tell me the driver is getting ready to move |
| safe to cross. | | | | backwards or is going backwards." |
| - Vehicle backing up in roadways, driveways, or | | | | - Point out to your child when you notice others using |
| parking lots. It's important to teach children to make | | | | safe pedestrian and unsafe pedestrian behavior. This |
| sure that no one is in the driver's seat and to look for | | | | reinforces your message and is also helpful for visual |
| illuminated back-up lights before walking in between | | | | learners. |
| parked cars. They should treat driveways like other | | | | - Always practice safe behavior. As an adult, your |
| intersections and stop at the edge, then look | | | | child watches and imitates your actions. He or she |
| LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT for cars entering or exiting the | | | | thinks that if you do the behavior, it must be correct. |
| driveway. | | | | When walking, always: |
| Parents and Caregivers of Preschool Children | | | | - Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available. |
| You probably know that preschool children are fast | | | | - Walk facing traffic if no sidewalk is available. |
| and often are not aware of danger. Each year, too | | | | When crossing the street, always: |
| many children are injured or killed when they suddenly | | | | - Cross at a corner or crosswalk with the walk signal. |
| run into the paths of cars. This may seem obvious, but | | | | - Stop at the curb. |
| did you know that most preschoolers are injured near | | | | - Exaggerate looking LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT for traffic in |
| their homes, on their own streets or in their own | | | | all directions before and while crossing the street. |
| driveways, and most traffic crashes involving | | | | - Explain you are looking for either no traffic or that |
| preschoolers happen in good weather? | | | | traffic has stopped before you can cross safely. |
| This Is How You Can Prevent These Tragedies: | | | | - Cross when it is clear. |
| - Children must be supervised at all times. | | | | - Hold your child's hand when crossing the street. |
| - Children should NEVER be allowed to cross the | | | | - Keep looking for cars as you cross. |
| street alone. | | | | - As you both safely cross the street together, praise |
| - When crossing the street ALWAYS hold your child's | | | | the child for copying your safe actions or words. |
| hand. | | | | - Always practice what you teach. |
| - Don't let your driveway become a playground. If you | | | | |