Introduction
A new season is here
which brings more children outside to play, i.e: bicycles, scooters,
and skates. Let's help our children be better pedestrians and
bicyclists because they act differently in traffic than adults.
It is important to understand children's limitations in understanding
traffic, specifically children:
* Have a narrower field of
vision than adults, about 1/3 less.
* Cannot easily judge a car's speed and distance.
* Assume that if they can see a car, its driver must be able to
see them.
* Are hidden from view by parked
cars and other objects.
* Cannot readily tell the direction a sound is coming from.
* May be impatiend and impulsive.
* Concentrate on only one thing at a time, not likely to be traffic.
* Have a limited sense of danger.
* Often mix fantasy with reality.
* Imitate the (often bad) behavior of others, especially older
children and adults.
Ten ways to help children become better bicyclists and pedestrians
1. Give your child only as much independence and responsibility as s/he can handle safely. Throughout childhood, children slowly develop the cognitive, perceptual and sensory skills necessary to be safe in traffic.
2. Remember that each child is unique. Do not base rules for one child on those for siblings, cousins or neighbors. Children of the same age may require different levels of supervision in traffic.
3. Evaluate your child's behavior out of traffic. Is s/he impulsive? Does s/he stop to think before acting? Distractable? Can s/he sustain attention on something important? Is s/he a risk-taker? It is likely that your child's behavior in traffic will resemble behavior out of traffic.
4. Consider any limitations
your child has and how these might influence his or her behavior
in traffic. For example, does your child have vision problems?
Hearing
impairment? Cognitive or judgment limitations? Physical handicaps?
5. Give your child practice in traffic. Frequent supervised experiences can help children develop good traffic safety habits.
6. Teach your child the rules of walking and bicycling safety as you encounter traffic situations. Ask your children to repeat rules back to you.
7. Do not assume your child
will follow the rules just because s/he can verbalize them. Let
your child lead you in traffic to help you assess how well s/he
follows the rules. Set up situations with your child in which
you shadow him/her (walk 10-15 feet behind) to allow semi-independence.
8. Grant independence in small steps to see how your child handles
it. For example, let your child progress from playing in front
of the house to playing on the block, to walking around the block,
to crossing one street, etc.
9. Always model appropriate traffic safety practices yourself, whether you are walking, bicycling or driving! Children learn from important people around them.
10. Be a careful driver, watch for children who may not yet have developed good traffic safety habits. Their safety is in your hands.
Bicycle Safety Tips
* Obey all traffic signs and
signals.
* Ride near the curb in the same direction as other traffic.
* At least one hand on the handlebars.
* Brakes should be capable of making the braked wheel skid.
* Use hand and arm signals.
* One rider per saddle, handlebars and racks are not for passengers.
* At night use a white light in front and a red reflector or flashing
light in the rear
* Bike helmets should be worn properly.
Bicycle Safety Quiz
1) It is okay to ride someone
on the handle bars.
True or False
2) It is just as safe to ride at night as in the day time.
True or False
3) You should ride with the traffic.
True or False
4) Bicycles have to obey traffic signs and signals just like cars.
True or False
5) Bicyclists have to use hand signals before changing lanes,
turing, or stopping.
True or False
6) There is a state law that anyone under 18 has to wear a helmet.
True or False
7) Bicycle helmets should be worn.
A) Only if you think you will need it.
B) Tilted back to look cool.
C) Level and properly adjusted.
D) Only when it's raining.
Answers: 1) F-too dangerous for everyone 2)
F-less visibility at night 3) T-better to flow with traffic than
against 4) T-same rules apply 5) T-same rules apply 6) F-Alaska
has not yet adopted this law as mandatory, however, statistics
show it prevents brain injury. 7) C-helmets need to be worn properly
to be effective.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Resources: www.bicyclesafe.com and www.bhsi.org