SAFE WALKING AND BIKING TIPS FOR KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Safe Kids Canada has some excellent tips on teaching children about traffic safety.
SAFE KIDS CANADA'S Pedestrian Safety Tips for Kids

Teach your children the "5 Steps to Safely Crossing the Street."

1. Stop.
2. Look both ways.
3. Listen for traffic.
4. Wait until street is clear and all traffic has stopped.
5. Make eye contact with drivers to be sure they see you.

• Beware of intersections without lights. Children should be extra alert when crossing at a corner with no traffic lights.
• Know the stopping zones. Children should stop at driveways, alleys and areas without curbs. They should never run out onto the street.
• Under nine? Don't cross alone. Children under age nine should be accompanied by an adult or an older child when crossing the street.
• Help drivers see you better. Teach children to wear reflective or colourful clothing to be more visible to drivers.
• To cross or not to cross. Children should recognize pedestrian crossing signals but not rely on them. Remind them to make sure traffic has stopped and to make eye contact with drivers before crossing. They should be taught to respect the role of the crossing guard and to understand his/her signals. Important: Remind them to continue across if the light changes to "Don't Walk" while they are in the crosswalk.
• Sidewalks are safest. Teach children to always walk on the sidewalk. In areas without sidewalks, teach them to walk as far away from traffic as they can and to walk facing approaching traffic.
• Stay away from parked cars. Teach children about the dangers of crossing the street between parked cars or when not at a corner. Children should cross only at corners or pedestrian crosswalks.
• Railway crossings are deadly. Teach kids that the only way to cross at a railway is to use the designated crossings. Playing games at railway crossings or around trains can be deadly.

- based on information from Safe Kids Canada, 2004