may not know how fast a vehicle is going and if they can cross the road safely
have difficulty reacting to traffic, and determining the direction of sound or judging distance or speed of traffic
cannot see out of the corners of their eyes as well as adults
may not realize that drivers are paying attention to other things, and not just them
may not understand that vehicles take longer to stop on wet or snowy roads
Create safer places for children
Go to the park or a safe space away from traffic to play with your child.
Choose bright, reflective clothes for your child.
Report road safety problems such as cracked sidewalks or broken street lights, by calling City of Toronto 3-1-1.
Work with your City Councillor and municipality to create safer walking and play spaces for children.
If traffic in your neighbourhood is too fast, call the police at 416-808-2222.
Watch children closely
Know where your children are playing at all times and that they are being supervised.
Always cross the road with children who are 10 years of age and under. Even older children may need to practise crossing the road safely.
Create and follow family safety rules
Make family safety rules with your children.
Help them understand why rules are important and always need to be followed.
Tell your children you are proud of them when they use sidewalks and cross the street safely.
Be a role model.Cross at intersections safely because children learn by watching you.
Reducing the risk of pedestrian injuries is important to us all. Visit Parachute Canada to learn about more injury prevention strategies that work.
Suggested Safety Rules
Stop, look and listen for traffic.
Wear reflective clothing or accessories during low light or dark conditions. Wear bright clothing during the day to increase your visibility for drivers.
Walk in pairs or groups to and from school.
Obey crossing guards and school bus drivers.
Walk on the part of the sidewalk furthest away from the curb.
Walk facing traffic when there are no sidewalks.
Cross at corners with traffic lights or stop signs. Never cross in the middle of a block.
Remove head phones when walking, riding, or playing near the road.
Stay off snow banks.
Make eye contact with drivers before moving past them and watch for moving vehicles in driveways and lanes.
Look and listen for vehicles backing up (e.g. white reverse light and/or beeping sounds).
