Keeping Children Safe During Their Commute
It is officially back-to-school season, and for many students throughout California, this means biking or walking to school. While this is great for getting some fresh air and exercise during the day, it doesn’t come without its fair share of dangers. To ensure that your loved ones are safe this season, here are some tips you can share for keeping cyclists and pedestrians safe on the roads.
5 Tips for Cyclists
Whether your child is biking to school or just around the block, these tips will help them stay safe while doing so.
- Wear a Helmet: This one may seem like a no-brainer, but according to the Children’s Safety Network, only about 15% of children aged 14 and younger regularly wear bicycle helmets.
- Obey the Rules of the Road: Cyclists must obey the same traffic laws as drivers, including stopping at red lights and stop signs, riding in the same direction as traffic, and using hand signals when turning.
- Make Yourself Visible: Wearing brightly colored clothing and using lights on the front and back of the bike (especially during dawn and dusk) are great ways to do this.
- Avoid Distractions: Cyclists should try to avoid any distractions while on the road. This means no texting, no listening to music, and no riding with headphones in.
- Keep the Bike in Good Condition: Making sure that the tires are properly inflated, the brakes are working, and the chain is greased will help reduce the risk of an accident.
5 Tips for Pedestrians
Whether you are accompanying your child on their walk to school or they are going in a group, it is important they know how to keep themselves safe.
- Walk on Sidewalks and Crosswalks: If possible, pedestrians should always walk on sidewalks or designated crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks available, they should walk as far away from the road as possible.
- Stay with a Buddy: It is always safer to have a walking partner as a pedestrian. Not only do larger groups increase visibility to drivers but they can also help in an emergency.
- Make Eye Contact With Drivers When Crossing: This will help ensure that the driver sees the pedestrian and will stop. Looking for a visual cue from the driver (like a wave) can also help pedestrians know when it's safe to cross.
- Watch for Cars in Driveways: Children should be taught to look both ways before crossing any driveway, even if there is no car parked in it.
- Be Predictable: Crossing at designated crosswalks, staying on the sidewalks, and avoiding darting into the road can help keep everyone safe.
Our Effres & Effres team hopes your family has a safe and fun back-to-school season! If you have any legal questions or need to retain our services for a personal injury matter, call (818) 222-9720 to schedule a free consultation today.