Stop, Look, Go Neighborhood Traffic Safety
Neighborhood traffic safety reminds us of a quote from the comic strip Pogo, “We have met the enemy, and they are us!” This is often the case with speeding and careless driving inside own neighborhoods. When motorists are travelling in an area they are very familiar with, they typically drive faster. Police often state a vast majority of motorists they cite inside neighborhoods live within a mile from where the citation is issued. We have the ability to make conditions safer in our neighborhoods by driving within the speed limit, mostly 25 mph, and watching more diligently for children and pets that may be on the sidewalk when backing out of the driveway or who may be crossing the street.
Studies have also shown that parents often over-estimate their children’s ability to safely share roadways and cross streets. Parents are responsible for teaching their children about traffic safety. This responsibility cannot be delegated to schools or the community, although they may play a role as well. The ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines states that “Parents are primarily and personally responsible for their own children’s safety, health, and welfare. This includes teaching children about crossing streets and driveways safely, riding bikes safely, and other necessary precautions to take when traveling to and from school. Parents should know their children’s vulnerabilities.”
A website entitled “About Kids Health” provides the following facts about child pedestrian safety:
- Children aged 10 to 14 are the most likely age group to suffer pedestrian-related injuries. Even more startling, children aged five to 14 years are most likely to be killed by a vehicle.
- Child pedestrians are most often hurt in September and October, followed by May and June.
Important child-safety teaching tips they provide for parents include:
“Long before a child will be allowed to roam the streets alone, parents should teach them some basic safety tips. These include walking only on the sidewalk, holding hands and never running into the road, even for a favorite toy.”
Neighborhood traffic safety is especiallyimportant during Halloween when many children typically roam up and down residential streets begging for candy. Young children are often so excited for their next treat that they may fail to be watchful of motorists backing out of driveways or travelling down the streets. Some costumes that involve masks can limit a child’s ability to see, and dark costumes may make a child difficult to be seen my motorists.
Drivers need to drive with extra care on Halloween night, especially between the hours of 5:30 and 9:30 PM when most trick-or-treating is done. Tips from Safe Kids International for parents of children who participate in Halloween activities include:
- Young children should Trick or Treat with an adult. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers. If possible, choose light colors for costumes.
- Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
- Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
- When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
- Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
- Always walk on sidewalks or paths. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Have a happy and safe Halloween, and make sure your children never drop their guard when walking inside your neighborhood. Furthermore, monitor their actions and abilities to make sure they are doing exactly what you teach them. This is as important for children who walk as it is for young drivers.
The authors would appreciate your questions, comments or suggestions on future topics via email (trafficsafetyexpert@gmail.com).
Disclaimer:Opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and may not necessarily represent the views of the agencies they are affiliated with. Information is for general awareness and not intended to substitute for professional advice, and thus the authors cannot be held accountable for anything contained in this article.
Kohinoor Kar,Ph.D., P.E., PTOE, a professional engineer vastly experienced in roadway, traffic and safety field, has been with the State of Arizona for the past 15 years. He has published a number of research papers and presented at several prestigious conferences. Dr. Kar serves on several safety-related advisory committees/panels at the State, national and international levels. He is currently a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University.
Michael J. Cynecki,P.E., PTOE retired from the City of Phoenix after a career of 26 years in the Transportation Department, and is currently with the consulting firm of Lee Engineering, LLC. Mr. Cynecki is an Emeritus member of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Pedestrians.
By Dr. Kohinoor Kar and Mike Cynecki