Child Pedestrian Safety Tips

As a parent, the safety of your child or children is something you will worry about forever. They will be full-blown adults at some point, and you will still be thinking about keeping them safe. Many might see this as overprotective, but that is not the case. It is your job to protect your children from the dangers of the world as they grow and learn to handle those dangers on their own. Kids like to run without a care, and, unfortunately, that can lead to a pedestrian accident at the hands of a distracted or negligent driver.

Read on to learn about some important tips to keep your child pedestrian safe from harm.

Practice What You Teach When It Comes to Pedestrian Safety

The best strategy to help keep your child safe while walking on sidewalks and across streets is twofold. First, you should teach them how to walk safely. Second, you must do as you have taught them – because your children will learn by watching you.

Walking Safely:

As for walking safely, it is important to teach your child to take the time to look for cars, especially before crossing the road. Instruct them to look right, then left, and then do it again before crossing. Furthermore, while crossing, they should look for oncoming cars as they make their way across the street.

When walking, your children should know to use the sidewalk and to avoid walking in the street if possible. If there are no sidewalks or paths to use, make sure that they walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible. Again, it is imperative that they remain alert at all times when walking.

Some of the potential hazards that your child could face while walking include:

• Turning cars
• Cars backing up
• Other walking pedestrians
• Bicyclists
• Runners

In order to remain alert, your child should learn to walk free of distraction. That includes the use of cellphones or music devices, which can be especially detrimental when crossing the street. Teach your child to put technology aside when walking across the road.

Setting a Good Example:

You set the bar for your child’s behavior. Be a good role model and set the right example by practicing what you teach. Avoid your own distractions when walking.

Do the same when driving, and avoid cell phone use and other distractions. Yield to pedestrians and look both ways when turning to show that you are alert for the dangers that face pedestrians of any age. If your child sees you doing this, they will know to put it into action themselves.

Contact a Perth Amboy Lawyer Who Fights on Behalf of Injured Pedestrians in New Jersey

The unfortunate truth is that many pedestrians struck by a car will suffer serious or catastrophic injuries, many of which have a long-lasting impact. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Perth Amboy, Old Bridge, Edison, East Brunswick, Piscataway, or anywhere else in New Jersey, it is in your best interests to consult a personal injury lawyer.

The experienced attorneys at CourtLaw are well-versed in pedestrian and bicycle accidents. We understand the dangers you face, and we know that negligent drivers are often at the root of the problem when it comes to pedestrian accidents. We will thoroughly investigate your case to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today by calling (732) 442-5900 or by filling out the online contact form. We have an office located at 163 Market Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861.

Reach out to CourtLaw today by filling out the online contact form.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.