One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
It's The First Day Of School -- A Refresher On How To Drive Safe Around Kids
With hundreds of thousands of young Angelenos heading back to school this week, here are a few ways to make streets and sidewalks safer for everyone -- especially kids. (Mae Ryan/KPCC file photo)
By Sue Carpenter and Melissa Leu
Welcome back, kids. Today's the first day back for students in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
That means if there's ever a time to start paying attention to the road (not that you didn't before), this is that time.
In the past decade, about one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to the American Automobile Association of Southern California.
So if you haven't learned defensive driving yet, here are a few ways to make streets and sidewalks safer for kids -- and pretty much everyone else. (Hint: these should be obvious.)
SLOW DOWN
Speed limits around schools are lower for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 35 miles per hour.
Sponsored message
PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE
Pay extra attention while driving in neighborhoods and school zones. It's already illegal in California to use a handheld device while at the wheel, but a lot of people still do it. If you're one of them, keep in mind that children often cross the road unexpectedly and may emerge suddenly between two parked cars. Pay attention in neighborhoods and school zones.
Looking at your phone means you're a lot less likely to see -- and react to -- a critical situation.
WATCH FOR BICYCLES
Children on bikes are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. So slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a cyclist.
Editor's note: A version of this story was also on the radio. Listen to it here on KPCC's Take Two.
Sponsored message
You made it! We were hoping you wouldn't need to read this entire story, but we -- along with the children of the world -- appreciate your dedication to learning the rules of the road. If this story was helpful to you, consider supporting us. Independent, local journalism costs $$$$$. And now that LAist is part of KPCC, we rely on that support. So if you aren't already, be one of us! Help us help you live your best life in Southern California. Donate now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
