At my daughter’s school, fourth grade marks the year when students can begin walking home independently. Teachers no longer need to ensure that children are dismissed into the care of a designated adult. If they aren’t taking the bus or heading to an after-school activity, they’re free to walk home by themselves.
This year, quite a few fourth-graders have started making the trek home on their own. Many have been doing it for months. My daughter, however, isn’t one of them.
We live just a few blocks from her school—literally right down the street. I had high hopes of teaching her how to walk home safely. We even discussed what we’d need to practice and the signs that would indicate she was ready. Yet here we are, nearing the end of the school year, and I still haven’t allowed her to walk home unaccompanied.
While she tends to be a bit dreamy, I trust her to focus when it matters. I wouldn’t describe myself as an overly cautious parent; I believe I’m pretty average in that regard.
The issue isn’t with my daughter or me. It’s with you—yes, you! The distracted, speeding, phone-obsessed drivers who race through school zones. You’re the reason my responsible 10-year-old daughter isn’t allowed to navigate the three blocks from home to school on her own.
To give you some context, my street is not just a school zone; it’s also a busy commuter route. As we walk, we often share the sidewalk with commuters hustling to catch their trains. But they aren’t the problem.
To get to the school, we must pass a train station during rush hour. Right next to the station is a parking lot where commuters leave their cars. Almost every day, I find myself urgently holding out my arm to stop my children as a driver speeds into the lot, all to catch a train. The safety of kids takes a backseat to someone’s tight schedule. (Ever heard of planning ahead?!)
Once we pass under the train station’s tunnel, we reach a major intersection where commuters are dropped off and where parents often make U-turns out of the dead end. Yes, this is yet another spot where I frequently have to shout at my kids to stop suddenly because a mom in an SUV, glued to her phone while texting about cupcakes for a school party, blows through a stop sign.
I apologize for raising my voice, but what else can I do? Parents zooming through stop signs and crosswalks in school zones without even glancing up from their phones—why do they not understand the dangers of driving? Cars are incredible inventions, but operating one requires extreme caution, especially in neighborhoods frequented by children.
For those unaware of pedestrian safety statistics, here’s a wake-up call: According to the CDC, 5,376 pedestrians lost their lives in car accidents in 2015. That’s about 1.6 deaths per hour. One in five pedestrians killed were children. Alcohol-related incidents account for almost half of these fatalities, either from drivers or pedestrians. Most pedestrian deaths occur at non-intersection crossings, and speeding drivers are far more likely to cause severe injuries.
Additionally, the CDC states that distracted driving kills about eight people each day, and over a thousand are injured. (I’m talking to you, texters—nothing you’re messaging about is more important than the safety of those around you.)
These are all basic safety tips, right? Don’t drink and drive, don’t speed, and for goodness’ sake, don’t text while driving! But every day, we witness people ignoring these crucial precautions, often endangering themselves and others.
As for my daughter walking to school, I may allow her to start next year, although I’ll probably spend the first few months shadowing her from a block or two behind to ensure she’s hyper-aware of her surroundings.
I recently learned that children can’t accurately judge the speed and distance of moving vehicles until they’re about 10 years old. Since my daughter just turned 10, I think it’s reasonable to begin this process now and let her walk alone only when I’m confident she’s ready.
All I ask is that drivers do their part, too. There’s almost nothing so pressing (like being late for work) that justifies speeding through a residential neighborhood, especially one filled with children. And as for texting while driving—there’s absolutely no excuse for that.
Remember, we’re talking about the lives of our fellow citizens, young and old. Nothing is more important than their safety.
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Summary
This article emphasizes the importance of road safety, particularly in school zones, as a parent reflects on their child’s independence and the dangers posed by distracted drivers. It calls for greater awareness among drivers while sharing alarming statistics about pedestrian safety. Ultimately, the author highlights the responsibility of both parents and drivers in safeguarding children during their daily commutes.