Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
October 5th is International Walk to School Day and many schools in the area are joining the festivities to help raise awareness about child pedestrian accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere.
This event started back in 1997 when the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago. When the walk was first started, it was used as a way to bring together children with local leaders in an effort to raise awareness about the need to more pedestrian-friendly streets.
As the event progressed year by year, so did its popularity. In 2002, the highest record of participation was tallied at roughly 3 million. This year, schools and leaders in every state have held events to help push the campaign.
Our Fort Myers child injury attorneys hope that you and your family will participate in this year’s event. This event is also used to help rally for federal funding to make our roadways safer for pedestrians. In 2005, new legislation was passed that would allow states to apply for this type of federal funding. Unfortunately, far too few dollars are aimed at pedestrian safety — despite the fact that Florida is among the most dangerous states in the nation when it comes to serious or fatal pedestrian accidents.
The following schools in our area are participating in this year’s events:
–Orangewood Elementary School: Students will be asked to wear their Orangewood T-shirts and are asked to meet Jefferson Park and walk to school so that all students can practice safe walking habits.
–Bayshore Elementary School: This is the third year that this school has participated n the event. During this year, local sheriff’s departments, parents, sponsors and teachers will be walking to school with students.
–Tommie Barfield Elementary School: The school will be asking students within a reasonable distance to walk to school on the 5th.
–Orange River Elementary School: This school will be sending home flyers with students to encourage all student pedestrians to wear their Orange River T-Shirts. These students will be asked to gather in a designated spot located just down the road from the school. Staff members will be joining them as well on this walk.
–Tanglewood Elementary School: Tanglewood will be showing an educational DVD during PE classes for 4 days. In the fall, the school also has a walking program. During the winter, the school has a biking program. PE class is used to practice skill and drills for two weeks. Lastly, Tanglewood organizes a walk to school day and bike to school day/RODEO.
“We can make a difference right here at home, we can make our streets safer,” said Michele King, Director of the Child Advocacy Program at the Children’s Hospital of SW Florida.
How officials can help to keep our child pedestrians safe on our roadways:
-Provide well-maintained a safe areas for pedestrians to walk that are separated from motor-vehicle traffic.
-Teach young pedestrians how to safely cross the street.
-Reduce speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods.
-Ensure that sidewalks meet national accessibility standards.
-Make sure that all intersections and mid-block crossings have curb ramps.
-Install pedestrian signals at all intersections.
If you or your child has been involved in a motor-vehicle-related pedestrian accident in Fort Myers, Cape Coral or Naples, contact Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, today for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-Dial-BLS.
More Blog Entries:
Pedestrian Accidents in Florida Continue to Concern Fort Myers Accident Lawyers, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, October 3, 2011
Lee County Named Most Dangerous Place for Bicycling Accidents in the Country, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, August 31, 2011
