Alert Driving Helps Keep Children Safe

Children do not perceive danger the same way as adults.

During the school year, drivers should be prepared for the unexpected in school zones, near bus stops and past crossing guards, but drivers should always be on the alert wherever they drive that children could be present. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 198 school-age pedestrians died in school transportation-related crashes between 2013 and 2022. Of these 198, 25% of pedestrian fatalities in school transportation-related crashes were children five to 10 years old.

Risk Considerations Driving Near Small Children

Smaller Size Limits Visibility

A six-year-old’s eye level is about 36 inches above the ground. Their smaller size makes it difficult for them to see cars and to be seen by drivers, especially if they are standing between parked cars on the side of the road. In addition, young children have two-thirds of the peripheral vision that adults have, and they have difficulty determining the source of a sound.

Still Learning to Judge Distances and Speeds

Children cannot judge accurately how fast a car is traveling or how long it will take to cover the distance. They can easily misjudge whether it is safe to cross a street.

Less Aware of Traffic

Children younger than third grade are unlikely to be aware of traffic when playing with friends or riding bikes and may have trouble stopping an action once started.

Low Understanding of Traffic Signals and Dangerous Situations

Parents can overestimate their children’s ability to cross the street safely. Many elementary school-aged children don’t understand traffic signals and don’t know how to anticipate drivers’ actions. Children under six rarely understand the true nature of a dangerous situation and tend to overestimate their own abilities, thinking that they can run across a street before the flashing light changes or a car approaches.

Assuming Actions

Drivers and child pedestrians each tend to incorrectly assume that the other will yield the right-of-way. Drivers can help keep children safe by slowing down wherever you drive, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, obeying traffic signals and waiting behind stopped school buses.

This loss control information is advisory only. The author assumes no responsibility for management or control of loss control activities. Not all exposures are identified in this article. Contact your local, independent insurance agent for coverage advice and policy service.