2015•TAC 2015: Getting You There Safely - 2015 Conference and Exhibition of the Transportation Association of Canada // ATC: Destination sécurité routière - 2015 Congrès et Exposition de l'Association des transports du CanadaRequires access
The Irreplaceable Role of Parents in Teaching Children to Walk Safely to School
Philip E. Mackey
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Abstract
Safety in school zones is always a sensitive topic. An accident that involves a child on the way to school, and especially one in the school zone, will trigger a vigorous response. There is a societal expectation that the trip to school will be safe. A report published in 2011 in Quebec indicated that most accidents involving children occur at other times and places - 371 children were injured in the school year during the usual hours for trips between home and school (for the period 2003-2007), which represents 18,1 % (371/2 043) of the total number of injured children. Yet, the school remains the focus of concern. A lot of effort is undertaken by a host of agencies and organizations to try to make school zones safer. But, if an essential element is missing, are we making the most of our investments? Are we trying to compensate for the under-involvement of parents by setting up a lot of programs in other areas? A guide would at least help those parents who are trying to help their children become safe pedestrians and then safe cyclists.