In 1998, 580 pedestrians ages 15 and under were killed and another 21,000 were injured. Nearly one-fifth of all traffic fatalities among people under age 16 are pedestrians.

Millions of children rely on walking to get to and from school, recreational activities, and the bus stop. As a result, pedestrian crashes are a serious traffic safety problem for children that result in tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths each year.

Parents and motorists need to remember that certain cognitive behavioral and physical characteristics of children put them at greater risk of being involved in traffic-related pedestrian crashes. Parents and other caregivers should also remember that children are not "small adults," and they don't have the skills to handle traffic-related environments. Children rely on adults for safety.

Living in walkable neighborhoods is not only a transportation safety goal, it's a quality of life issue for many communities in this country. You and your child can assess the "walkability" of your neighborhood, and chart the safest route to their school, the park, or a friend's house. The Walkability Checklist is available in English and Spanish to help parents and children. Copies can be ordered directly from NHTSA (see Program Publications for Planner 21) or downloaded from the Web at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

You might also want to start planning for the next annual "National Walk Our Children to School Day" (date to be announced later this spring – see Campaign Safe & Sober Program Planner 22 for more information). This national event, sponsored by the Partnership for a Walkable America, is designed to promote healthy behaviors, create community awareness and, best of all, encourage families to spend valuable time together. The 1999 event, which was held on October 6th, was a testament to the strength of "foot power" and community involvement. An estimated 500,000 parents, children, teachers, government officials and others participated in walks all over the country and in Canada.

The Partnership for a Walkable America is made up of health and safety organizations, government agencies, businesses and individuals who have joined together to promote the health benefits of walking, and the changes necessary to make America safer and more accessible for walking. For more information, contact the Partnership via Harold Thompson at the National Safety Council (1-800-621-7615 ext. 2383) or on the Web at www.nsc.org/walkable.htm.

You can reproduce the following Child Transportation Safety Tips to distribute to your constituents:

Tip #10 – Play It Safe: Walking and Biking Safely (toddlers and preschoolers)

Tip #11 – Kids on the Move: Walking and Biking Safely (kindergarten to grade three)

Tip #14 – Beyond the Front Yard: Creating Safer Streets and Play Places for Children

Another good tip sheet is "Safe Walking in a Winter Wonderland," which is included in this Program Planner.