With support from Jaxson deVille and two Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders, about 450 Andrew Robinson Elementarystudents and staff staged a special walk at the Springfield school to advocate for safer walking environments.
Also at Walk to School Day, Safe Kids Northeast Florida provided pedestrian safety education.
"We want children to have the tools they need to stay safe while walking in their neighborhoods, so opportunities like this are important because they help us reach kids before an injury happens," said Jessica Winberry, prevention coordinator for Safe Kids Northeast Florida, which is led by THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. "Teaching simple habits, like using sidewalks and crosswalks, looking left,
right and left again before crossing and putting away distractions around traffic can help children become safer pedestrians."
At a pep rally the day before, students and staff were encouraged by the Jaguars team mascot and two ROAR cheerleaders. Representatives of the Sheriff's Office also took part in the walk.
Here are more pedestrian safety tips for children, as provided by Safe Kids:
- Walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing as far to the left as possible.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
- Children under 10 should cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but most kids are unable to judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.
- Be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up.
- Don't run or dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
- If you're walking in the dark, be especially alert and wear light- or brightly-colored clothing and reflective gear to be visible to drivers.
- Put phones, headphones and devices down — or at least turn down the volume — when crossing the street.
- Be aware of other people who may be distracted and speak up if you see someone who is in danger.
- If you need to use a cell phone, stop walking and find a safe area to talk.
And here are a few other tips for adults:
- Set a good example by putting your phone, headphones and devices down when walking around cars.
- When driving, put cell phones and other distractions out of sight until you reach your final destination.
- Be especially alert and slow down when driving in residential neighborhoods and school zones. Be on the lookout for bikers, walkers or runners who may be distracted or step into the street unexpectedly.
- Give pedestrians the right of way and look both ways when making a turn to spot any bikers, walkers or runners who may not be immediately visible.
For more information, go to wolfsonchildrens.com/about/bike-and-pedestrian-safety.
Beth Reese Cravey has been a reporter for The Florida Times-Union for 45 years, currently specializing in nonprofits and health. She can be reached at bcravey@jacksonville.com.more information, go to wolfsonchildrens.com/about/bike-and-pedestrian-safety.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Students walk for safer streets in Jacksonville
