Practice Pedestrian Safety

Kids learn to walk at a young age, but learning how to safely cross the street takes years of practice. Thousands of young pedestrians are seriously hurt or killed every year while crossing the street.

Kids under the age of 10 should not cross the street without an adult or responsible older child with them. Young children do not have the judgment, visual acuity or experience to cross safely. The following guidelines can help keep you and your child safe when crossing the street.

Steps for pedestrian safety

1. Find a safe place to cross the street, such as a crosswalk or corner of an intersection.
2. Stop at the curb or edge of the road.
3. Listen for cars.
4. Look left, right, then left again before crossing.
5. Make eye contact with approaching vehicles, even if it looks like they are stopping for you.
6. When crossing a multi-lane road, don’t assume the drivers in all lanes are stopping.

Special considerations when crossing the street

Corners. When standing on a corner, look over your shoulder to make sure no cars are about to turn onto your path before crossing.

Alleys and driveways. Treat alleys and driveways like you would a street—always stop, look left, right and then left again before crossing.

Approaching cars. If cars are approaching, wait until they pass and then begin the process of looking left, right, then left again before crossing.