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Summer Traffic Tips
An Increased Traffic Risk
Schools have ended for the summer break and that means an increase in children playing, walking, riding bicycles and skateboards, going to the neighborhood swimming pools, etc. With that increase in pedestrian activity, we, as operators of motor vehicles, need to be more attentive while driving. The likelihood of encountering a child on a bicycle or skateboard or simply walking / running on or across the roadway is greatly increased. We have a responsibility to drive safely.
Drive Slow
The most important thing we can do to ensure that we are not involved in a crash involving a child at play is to slow down. When you are driving near parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, etc., decreasing your speed (even slightly below the posted limit) will give you the best opportunity to recognize a potential hazard and to take evasive actions to avoid a potentially devastating accident. I can think of few things that would cause me more grief than to be involved in an incident that kills or maims a child, especially if I knew I could have done something to possibly avoid it, but didn’t do so.
Supervise Children
Parents need to step up and take responsibility for their children. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that small children are supervised while they are playing. It is not the job of the police or the neighbor next door or the eldest sibling to supervise young children. There are exceptions to these, but I think my point is clear. Know where your children are and what they are doing.
Educate Pedestrians
If you can’t transport your children to and from locations, ensure they know how to safely cross roadways and to obey traffic control devices. This means crossing in designated crosswalks when it is appropriate to do so, even if they have to walk a little farther. Teach them not to step into the roadway between parked vehicles. If they are playing and a ball or other toy goes into the roadway, make sure they understand to stop and look both ways to ensure no traffic is coming before they retrieve the item. These simple tactics can greatly reduce your child’s chances of being struck by a vehicle.
Remember, it is everyone’s responsibility to drive safely.
Schools have ended for the summer break and that means an increase in children playing, walking, riding bicycles and skateboards, going to the neighborhood swimming pools, etc. With that increase in pedestrian activity, we, as operators of motor vehicles, need to be more attentive while driving. The likelihood of encountering a child on a bicycle or skateboard or simply walking / running on or across the roadway is greatly increased. We have a responsibility to drive safely.
Drive Slow
The most important thing we can do to ensure that we are not involved in a crash involving a child at play is to slow down. When you are driving near parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, etc., decreasing your speed (even slightly below the posted limit) will give you the best opportunity to recognize a potential hazard and to take evasive actions to avoid a potentially devastating accident. I can think of few things that would cause me more grief than to be involved in an incident that kills or maims a child, especially if I knew I could have done something to possibly avoid it, but didn’t do so.
Supervise Children
Parents need to step up and take responsibility for their children. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that small children are supervised while they are playing. It is not the job of the police or the neighbor next door or the eldest sibling to supervise young children. There are exceptions to these, but I think my point is clear. Know where your children are and what they are doing.
Educate Pedestrians
If you can’t transport your children to and from locations, ensure they know how to safely cross roadways and to obey traffic control devices. This means crossing in designated crosswalks when it is appropriate to do so, even if they have to walk a little farther. Teach them not to step into the roadway between parked vehicles. If they are playing and a ball or other toy goes into the roadway, make sure they understand to stop and look both ways to ensure no traffic is coming before they retrieve the item. These simple tactics can greatly reduce your child’s chances of being struck by a vehicle.
Remember, it is everyone’s responsibility to drive safely.