Sharing Street Smarts Saves the Lives of Your Children

By M.C. Millman 

  

Kids will be kids, but at the same time, parents need to be parents and look out for their kids by stressing safety when walking or riding a bike.

After a grim week with an unusually high number of pedestrian injuries in one week and several children on bikes hit by cars in one 24-hour period, it's time for parents to re-address street smarts with their children, especially after last week when the accidents included kids who cut across roads without pausing to look for cars.

Ramapo Police Department reported three pedestrians were hit by a car last week and three children riding bikes. Spring Valley Police Department also told Rockland Daily there has been an unfortunate uptick in accidents involving children, with two pedestrians and one biker hit by a car last week in Spring Valley. 

   

"In the accidents I'm looking at," Spring Valley Detective Matthew Galli shares with Rockland Daily after reviewing the incidents over the past week, "all three children aren't looking both ways. Another factor that can lead to accidents is a lack of parental supervision. Given the uptick in kids being struck, parents must be diligent in looking after their kids to ensure their kids remain safe."

The start of spring, when children begin to flock outdoors, is a good time for parents to review the basics of street smarts for bikers and pedestrians, but if you missed the opportunity, there is no time like the present to do a review.

"Parents need to train the children that there is a right and wrong way of crossing the street and riding a bike or scooter," says Rabbi Yosef C. Golding, Hatzoloh of Rockland’s Executive Director. "Given that Rockland's traffic has expanded exponentially, why should a young child be allowed to ride on roads with cars?"

 

For starters, there is no biking or going on a scooter without a helmet, even for the biker with training wheels. Stress that children must wear appropriate shoes that grip pedals, not sandals or other hazardous shoes. Younger children should never ride in the street, but even children old enough to ride in the street need reminders to ride with traffic and obey all traffic laws. That includes stop lights, stop signs, and yielding to pedestrians. 

Parents should look over their children's bikes and scooters more than once during the session. Make sure tires have sufficient air, the seat is not loose, and the handlebars are aligned. Additionally, adjust the bike or scooter so it is the right height for the rider. Riding a bike that is too tall creates safety issues if the rider cannot sit properly on the seat or reach the ground.

 

Children should avoid bike riding or scooters in the early evening, as visibility is restricted, but for times when that is not possible, children should wear a reflector while riding with rear reflectors and a headlight visible for 500 feet.

 

 For children on the street, parents should lead by example. Cross only at crosswalks and obey traffic signals and rules. Explain to children the dangers of stepping out from between two cars. Show them how to make eye contact with drivers before crossing and explain that they should never presume cars will stop. Teach children from a young age, when you are still crossing the street with them at your side, to look left, right, and left again before stepping into the street. Remind children to stay on sidewalks whenever possible. Tell them to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic if a sidewalk is unavailable.

 

As much as parents can work on street smarts for their kids, drivers should be aware that kids will be kids. 

 

"Too many are oblivious to the rules of the road," says Rabbi Golding. "And by the rules of the road, we mean rules for drivers and pedestrians. This is why we need to create more awareness for drivers, pedestrians, and parents."

Drivers need to be on the lookout for kids at all times, on bikes and on foot, especially when they spot other children near the street and during inclement weather when people tend to be less careful. Drivers should always yield to pedestrians – even if they aren't crossing at a crosswalk. Drivers should be especially mindful when pulling into and out of driveways – especially while backing up.

Reviewing and practicing street smarts is an integral way to keep Rocklanders safe and be safe at the same time. 

 

"We are always striving to reduce crashes in our community, including pedestrian and bicycle-involved crashes," Ramapo Police Captain Daniel Hyman shares with Rockland Daily. 

"Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must always be aware of their surroundings, comply with the law, and use caution. By doing so, we can help create a safer environment for all who use our roadways."

 

Looking forward to a safer week in Rockland iy"H!