Pedestrian injury is all too common. Children are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed to traffic threats that are beyond their cognitive, developmental, behavioral, physical and sensory abilities. This is heightened because parents often overestimate their children’s pedestrian skills.

Children are impulsive and can’t easily judge speed, space, distance and velocity. Auditory and visual acuity perception and proper scanning ability develop gradually and often don’t fully mature until age 10.

• Always cross the street with your children; never allow a child under age 10 to cross the street alone!
• Always model and teach proper pedestrian behavior. Make eye contact with drivers prior to crossing; don’t assume the driver sees you just because you see him.
• Instruct children to look left-right-left when crossing and as they continue to cross.
• Teach children to walk facing traffic and as far to the left when sidewalks are not available.
• Keep play out of the driveway, in adjacent unfenced yards, in streets or in parking lots.

For more information, please call Safe Kids Mid-South, headquartered at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, at (901) 287-6730.