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Pediatric Emergency experts are urging higher safety measures for children pedestrians this summer.

Pediatric Emergency experts are urging higher safety measures for children pedestrians this summer.

Experts at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt are concerned about the number of child pedestrian injuries and deaths. The Pediatric Emergency Department treated 31 children who were hit by cars last summer, according to a press release from the children’s hospital.

Children running into the street or a car hitting an unseen child are the common causes of these injuries and deaths.

“Many believe that when you drive at low speeds, you won’t cause significant injuries,” Cristina Estrada, M.D, associate professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, said in the release. “However, many of these are preventable collisions and some of the worst cases I have witnessed have been ones that occur in parking lots and driveways.”

“Walking around traffic requires the same critical thinking skills as riding your bike and driving a car,” Estrada said. “Use the same walking skills you learned as a child: stop, look left-right-left for traffic and be safe, be seen, and encourage your children to do the same.”

Doctors say that families should never let children under the age of ten cross streets alone or play or walk near traffic without parental supervision. Doctors urge everybody to wear helmets when riding bicycles and urge parents to remind older children and set rules about pedestrian safety.

“Also, drivers need to be extra alert and careful now that school is out, to observe children at all times especially in their own driveways and neighborhoods,” said Estrada.

Officials with the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital provided a list of safety tips:

  • Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
  • Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Do not assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you.
  • Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross.
  • Walk, do not run, across the street.
  • Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
  • Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
  • Parents and children should hold hands in parking lots.
  • Never allow children under age 10 to cross streets alone. Adult supervision is essential until you are sure a child has good traffic skills and judgment.
  • Make sure children know to cross 10 feet in front of a school bus, never behind, and to wait for adults on the same side of the street as the school bus loading or unloading zone.
  • Teach your child never to run out into a street for a ball, a pet or any other reason.
  • Make sure your child plays in safe places away from motor vehicles, such as yards, parks and playgrounds, and never in the street.
  • Fence off play areas from driveways and streets.
  • Check frequently for children when backing out of a driveway or a parking space.