Child Safety: Speeding in Your Neighborhood? Slow Down & Read These Scary Stats! by Katie Sloan
Summer vacation will be here before you know it, and from dawn to dusk, kids will play outside, ride bikes and run around. Laughter and squeals of joy are the sounds of summer. But all of this can come to a screeching halt when a driver chooses to speed in a residential area. In fact, most speeders live in the neighborhood. The seconds saved by speeding are not worth a child’s life.
Why is this important?
- Getting hit by a car is the third leading cause of death for kids ages 5-9, according to the Association for Psychological Science.
- A child lacks the ability to see and avoid oncoming cars; perceptual ability is slow to develop.
- According to Sheriff magazine, if you hit a pedestrian at 20 mph, 5 percent will die; at 30 mph, 45 percent will die; and at 40 mph, 85 percent will die.
What should you do?
- SLOW DOWN and obey traffic signs.
- Avoid distractions (don't text!).
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Always check before backing up!
Let's keep our kids safe!