Unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children ages 5-19. Teenagers are now at the greatest risk. Teens have a death rate twice that of younger children and account for half of all child pedestrian deaths.
- Put distractions down and keep your head up when walking;
- Use the crosswalk when it is safe;
- Be alert when it is dark outside and wear reflective clothing;
- If there is no sidewalk, walk against traffic and as far away from vehicles as possible;
- Be cautious when walking in parking lots and passing driveways;
- Children under ten should cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, it can be hard for kids to judge speed and distance of cars until age ten.
Five Common Ways Children and Teens Are Struck by a Motor Vehicle
- One in five high school students crosses the street while distracted.
- Crossing someplace other than an intersection accounts for 81 percent of child pedestrian deaths.
- 75 percent of teen pedestrian deaths occur between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. when it is dark outside.
- Using sidewalks can reduce pedestrian crashes by 90 percent.
- Cars backing up, kill nearly 100 children every year.