School’s out for the summer. Besides being a catchy song chorus and a joyous occasion for youths (and their teachers, for that matter), it’s also a time for parents to speak to their sons and daughters about safety.
The summer yields extra free time for children, meaning more time to play in the streets for
the youngest and more time behind the wheel for those
older. Accidents do happen, but parents and their children alike should know how to minimize the chances of such occurrences that could yield injury — or far worse.
Some facts and discussion points to keep out of school youths safe:
Pedestrians should always use sidewalks when available. If there is no sidewalk, walk along the side of the road and — important to note — face oncoming traffic. Those who ride bicycles should do so on the right, in the same direction as other vehicles. Use bike lanes if available and wear a helmet. If on foot, make sure to cross streets at crosswalks or corners.
The importance of not drinking and driving can also not be
overstated. Drivers under 21
can be arrested for a DWI if
their blood alcohol concentration is 0.01 or higher, and the legal and financial ramifications
of that charge are steep. Of course, many could be so lucky to only draw such a consequence: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. It’s of the utmost importance for your still-growing brains to be unimpaired behind the wheel.
By the same token, seatbelts are a must. Teenage drivers and passengers are among those least likely to wear seat belts, making injury all the more likely in the face of an accident.
Finally, in a day and age where everyone is plugged in with one another through cellphones and texting, let your children know that texting and driving is not OK. That’s another quick avenue to an accident.
You can never completely eliminate the chance of an accident, but you can significantly reduce the odds of one by being informed and taking the necessary precautions. Encourage your children do the same.