It’s the time of year when families are shopping for back-to-school supplies and thinking about bus schedules, packed lunches and after-school activities.
But it is also an important time for everyone in the community to consider safety with increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic, especially in school zones.
In Canada, child pedestrian injuries are a leading cause of injury-related deaths for children under age 14. More than 30 children are killed and 2,400 are seriously injured in a typical year. Child pedestrians are most often hurt in September and October.
Children’s physical and mental capacities are still developing well into their teens and they are often unable to make safe judgments about traffic and pedestrian safety. Also, children’s small size, lower eye level and need to look up and over vehicles can limit their field of vision and make them vulnerable to pedestrian accidents.
Take some time to remind your children about safe pedestrian practices. Here are some tips to discuss with children about back-to-school pedestrian safety:
- Look both ways and listen before crossing
- Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks and obey all signals
- Never run or dart out into the street
- Cross with crossing guards, flashing lights and other safety features
- Before crossing, make eye contact with drivers to ensure they are aware you are crossing
- Eliminate distractions – cellphones and other electronic devices or music should not be used when walking across streets
- Wear a helmet when riding a skateboard, scooter or bicycle
It is not just young children who need to take care. A teen pedestrian safety survey found that 51% of Canadian teens reported being hit or almost hit by a car, bike or motorcycle. Also, teens engaged in various types of risky behaviour while walking, including listening to music, texting and talking on the phone.
Pedestrian safety is not just for the pedestrians. It is also each driver’s responsibility to follow the rules of the road, especially strict rules in school zones.
When driving:
- Be careful near school zones and nearby neighbourhoods
- Reduce your speed
- Stop at school crossings and for school buses
- Give the right of way to school kids
- Be patient, especially during drop-off and pick-up times
- Don’t drive distracted!
In a pedestrian/vehicle accident, victims have the right to medical and rehabilitation benefits and to compensation when injury and harm is caused by negligence. In Ontario, the law assumes that the driver of the vehicle is at fault unless the driver can prove otherwise. There are also specific laws about personal injury claims involving children. Be sure to speak to a qualified lawyer in the event of an accident.
Be aware on the roadways and let’s have a safe school season! This WARDS LAWYERS PC publication is for general information only. It is not legal advice, nor is it intended to be. Specific or more information may be necessary before advice could be provided for your particular circumstances.
