IF you've been on the road in the morning or late afternoon the past week you've probably noticed all those kids with their cute little backpacks heading back to school.
With classes back in session the British Columbia Automobile Association is reminding drivers to pay close attention to their surroundings when driving through areas where kids are likely to be present.
BCAA has produced "Slow Down, Kids Playing" signs to help make roads safer for children across the province.
"School zones are often extremely congested, with parents dropping off and picking up their children," BCAA senior manager of member advocacy Alex Carr said in a release. "The 'Slow Down, Kids Playing' signs are a way of reminding drivers to expect the unexpected and be extra careful near schools and residential areas."
According to the B.C. Coroners Service, more than 2,400 child pedestrians are seriously injured and approximately 30 are killed each year in Canada. Most of these injuries occur in September and October, followed by May and June. Kids between 5 and 14 are at the greatest risk for pedestrianrelated injuries and fatalities.
The BCAA Road Safety Foundation has identified two key areas of risk for child pedestrians: driver behavior - such as speeding, making U-turns, stopping in no-stopping zones, and backing up into crosswalks - and pedestrian distraction.
The BCAA Road Safety Foundation offered the following tips to help keep children safe on the road this school year:
Tips for drivers
- Slow down and watch out for kids in or near school and residential areas, intersections and crosswalks, and be prepared to stop. Look for clues such as "Slow Down, Kids Playing" signs, school zone signs, safety patrollers, bicycles and playgrounds.
- Expect the unexpected - such as kids darting out from between parked cars. Always check for pedestrians when you're backing up, and be aware that kids could be present on any side of the vehicle.
- Let kids out on the side of the car closest to the sidewalk when dropping them off at school.
- Follow the rules of the road - yield to pedestrians and do not make U-turns, roll through stop signs or stop in no-stopping zones.
- Do not pass school buses when their red lights are flashing as this means that children are loading and unloading.
- Use extra caution in adverse weather conditions.
Tips for parents/guardians and kids
- Teach your kids to find a safe place to cross the road such as patrolled or marked crosswalks. Make sure they look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before they cross the street.
- Make it a rule for kids to stay off their cell phones or electronic devices while crossing the street - make sure they focus on the road and surrounding environment.
- Plan a safe route - walk on the sidewalk and consider having your child walk with a friend or parent or join a walking school bus.
- Teach your kids to look out for parked cars as cars may pull out or start moving when they don't expect it.
- Make sure your kids wear bright or reflective clothing so they can be seen in the dark or in poor weather. If they ride a bike, make sure they always wear a helmet and clothing with reflective strips. Equip their bike with lights, reflectors and a bell.
