It's Time To Focus On Pedestrian Safety For Children

Across California, school children are getting ready to head back to school after summer break. That means that motorists who might have seen less congested streets, safer crosswalks and empty school zones, will now have to brush up on their safe driving knowledge to avoid accidents.

With hundreds of thousands of school children expected to be riding, walking or being dropped off at or picked up from school, the chances of an accident involving these little children, also increase. In fact, the chances of accidents involving pedestrian or bicycling school children may be higher in the first few days after schools reopen, because of the long and relatively easier driving days of summer. Motorists may have forgotten about safe driving around schools, looking out for children at crosswalks etc.

In 2007, the new school term ended tragically for one Huntington Beach family with the death of their 14-year-old son in a bicycle accident. Danny Oates was killed when a car struck his bicycle, throwing him into 100 feet away. This year marks the second anniversary of that tragic death, and also impresses upon California personal injury lawyers the need to increase awareness about safety during this time. Motorists must remember that school zones are going to be very busy during school start and closing times. There are not only going to be crowds of children at the gates, but also plenty of parents picking up and dropping off their children. Slow down when you enter a school zone, even if there is no one around.

Always look out for pedestrian children near crosswalks, especially on busy streets that are used by kids everyday. Look especially hard for children when you are driving in rainy weather or other adverse weather conditions. If you see a child at a crosswalk, don't assume that they don't intend to cross the street. It's always better to assume they are, and slowdown.

Remember that there are going to be many more children bicycling their way to and from school. You share the roads with these children, and they deserve to be able to ride safely.

Parents must teach their children the right traffic safety rules whether they walk to school, ride or are picked up by the school bus. If your child rides on the school bus, hold their hand, and don't let go until they get on the bus. Don't assume that a motorist will see a school bus, and slow down automatically. For far too many motorists, a school bus is just another vehicle, and too many accidents are caused when a motorist tries to pass a stopped school bus, endangering the lives of parents and children who might be coming around from the other side.

Teach your children to avoid reckless behavior on their bicycles. If they walk to school, see if they can have other students in the neibourhood walk with them. Pedestrians are safer when they are in a group. It's an exciting time for our kids. Lets do all we can to make it a safe time too.