Most children learn from their parents to look both ways before they cross the street, but many parents don’t take the extra step to teach their children intersection crosswalk safety. While most parents probably assume they will be with their kids when they walk across an intersection, the reality is that children may find themselves alone in an intersection crosswalk on their way to school.
Because you may never know when your child might find himself at an intersection, it is important that you teach him not only to look left-right-left to watch for moving cars but about pedestrian signals and what they mean, such as:
- Don’t Walk. Teach your children that when there is a hand illuminated in a red light, it means that they should stop at the curb and not cross the street until the hand or don’t walk light changes to a walk signal.
- Flashing Don’t Walk. When the don’t walk signal or red hand is flashing, it is important that your children know it is a caution light, warning them that they shouldn’t start crossing the street. If they are already in the crosswalk, they should hurry across the street as safely as possible.
- Walk. The walk signal or image of a pedestrian illuminated in a white light indicates that it is a pedestrian’s right to walk across the street; however, it is important that your children know that it isn’t always safe to do so. It is important that they still look both ways before stepping off a curb.
While pedestrians often have the right of way in crosswalks, that is poor comfort indeed after a negligent driver collides with a child and inflicts life-changing injuries. Mallard Perez in Sarasota is ready to hear your side of the story. Call us at 888-409-3805.