Safe Roads: Testing your patience

Children going to and from school can test drivers’ patience. They run in front of cars, dash from crosswalks into the road and pedal their bikes straight through red lights. At those times, it’s good for drivers to remember that while this behavior would be inexcusable from an adult, children act in these ways for a reason: they’re children.

Young children are still developing the mental and physical skills needed to handle traffic situations. For example, because children can’t judge a car’s distance and speed correctly, they’ll often let slow-moving cars pass, then try to cross in front of fast-moving ones. Because their peripheral vision is one-third narrower than an adult’s, children often miss seeing cars to their right or left. They also may not be tall enough to see over the hood of a parked car. Distracted youngsters can accidentally wander into traffic because they tend to focus only on what interests them.

In the United States, more children die as a result of motor vehicle accidents than from any disease. Almost a quarter of those child fatalities are pedestrians.

Parents should encourage their children to stop, look and listen for approaching and turning vehicles, especially those turning right on red. They should accompany young children to and from school until they know their child has the necessary skills to walk or bike safely there without adult guidance. Most children under the age of 9 or 10 do not have the skills to walk alone in areas with traffic.

Drivers also can help by paying attention to the children who share the roadways. To increase their safety, remember these tips:

Children and adults perceive traffic differently. Accept children’s limitations and be ready to react.
Make eye contact with children who are about to walk or bicycle across the street. Anticipate their next moves and make them aware of yours.
Drive slowly near playgrounds and in residential neighborhoods. Scan both sides of the street. Notice where children could run out from behind parked cars or other obstructions.
Children often travel in packs. When you see one child, check for others.

AAA Connection

AAA Colorado has several resources and brochures in regards to traffic safety. Visit our website for more information.

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