Pedestrian Safety

Safe Kids San Diego Prevention Activities: Past, Present and Future Pedestrian Safety

Safe Kids San Diego continues to participate in the annual International Walk to School, collaborating with their national partner Fed Ex. Through this Fed Ex collaboration Safe Kids San Diego created reflective Halloween treat bag that is now used nationally by Safe Kids USA.

This year Safe kids San Diego will again participate in Walk to School day in collaboration with the City Heights Development Corporation, Fed Ex and Sherman Elementary. Additional funds will be provided for ongoing pedestrian safety programs through the NFL-Fed Ex Air and Ground contest. This national contest nominates the best air (quarterback) and ground (running back) weekly, fans vote on their favorite, the coalition of the winning NFL team earns $1000 which is earmarked for pedestrian initiatives. Safe Kids San Diego is going to re-establish a pedestrian and pedocycle task force as a component of the Sports and Recreation division.

Over the next few years Safe Kids San Diego will be participating with pedestrian safety programs in collaboration with Rady Children’s Hospital in South East San Diego as a component of a federally funded Safe Routes to School program.

Prevention Activities You Can Do

  • Never allow children under the age of 10 to walk in traffic unaccompanied by an adult. Children lack the ability to adequately assess the dangers posed by motor vehicle traffic. Teaching your child to look both ways before they cross is not enough to keep them safe.
  • Walk with your child. Children need you to model safe pedestrian behavior and to determine if the route they are taking is a safe one.
  • Make sure your child knows and follows the rules of the road. Local research has shown that children are most likely injured “not crossing in the crosswalk”
  • As a driver, always be aware of the potential danger of pedestrians and travel at safe speeds, allowing sufficient time to stop safely, if necessary.
  • Anticipate children playing in residential areas and around schools.
  • Teach your child to make eye contact with an oncoming driver before they enter the road event if they have the right of way. Drivers do not normally look for pedestrians.

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