Pedestrian Safety Tips

Ashley Svaty, Nutrition, Food Safety and Health Agent

Walking is a fantastic way to get exercise, it doesn’t require equipment besides a good pair of walking shoes and can be done almost anywhere! Safe Kids Worldwide provides pedestrian safety tips to ensure your family is safe while walking.


Teach Kids How to Walk Safely

• Teach kids at an early age to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Then remind them to continue looking while crossing by keeping their heads up and looking around until safely across.

• It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. 

• Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. 

• Encourage kids to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach kids not to run or dart out in the street or cross between parked cars. 

Take Action Against Distraction

• Teach kids to put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street, especially teenagers. 

• Put headphones down or turn off the volume before crossing the street. 

• Be aware of others who may be distracted and speak up when you see someone who is in danger. 

Let Your Actions Speak as Loudly as Your Words

• Set a good example by putting your phone, headphones and devices down when walking around cars. 

• When driving, put cell phones and other distractions in the back seat out of sight until your destination. 

• Give pedestrians the right of way and look both ways when making a turn to spot any bikers, walkers or runners who may not be immediately visible.

Source: www.safekids.org