At my daughter’s school, fourth grade marks the year when children can start walking home independently. Teachers are no longer expected to ensure kids are picked up by a designated adult. At the end of the day, if they’re not taking a bus or heading to an after-school program, kids are free to go — solo.
Several fourth-graders have begun walking home this year, with many having done so for months. But not my daughter. We live just a short distance from her school — it’s practically on our street. I had high hopes of teaching her to walk home; we talked about practicing and what signs would indicate she was ready.
However, as the school year approaches its end, I must admit I haven’t allowed her to walk home by herself yet. She’s a dreamer, yes, but I trust her to focus when it matters. I don’t consider myself overly protective — I’m just a typical parent.
So what’s holding me back? It’s not her, and it’s not me. It’s you. Yes, you — the distracted, speeding drivers glued to your phones while barreling through school zones. You are the reason I won’t let my responsible 10-year-old walk the three blocks from our home to her school.
To provide some context, not only is our street a school zone, but it’s also a busy commuter area. As we walk, we often share the sidewalk with commuters hurrying to catch their trains. But they’re not the issue.
To get from our house to my daughter’s school, we must pass a train station during rush hour. Right next to the station is a parking lot where commuters leave their cars. Almost every day, one of these individuals speeds into the lot, and I find myself urgently blocking my kids with my arm, urging them to pause so this inconsiderate driver can catch their train. The safety of children seems to take a backseat to their schedule. (Ever heard of planning ahead?)
After we navigate through the train station’s tunnel, we hit a major intersection where parents often drop off their kids and make U-turns out of the dead-end street that leads to the school. This is yet another place where I frequently have to yell at my kids to stop suddenly because some distracted parent, busy texting about cupcakes for a school party, doesn’t see us and speeds through a stop sign.
I’m sorry for raising my voice, but it’s necessary. Parents zooming through stop signs and crosswalks in school zones without a glance at the road are a real danger. Why don’t people understand that cars can be deadly? Sure, they’re incredible inventions, but operating one requires extreme caution, especially in neighborhoods where over 200 children gather daily.
If you’re unaware of the grim statistics surrounding car safety, let me enlighten you. According to the CDC, 5,376 pedestrians lost their lives in car accidents in 2015, averaging about 1.6 pedestrian deaths per hour. One in five pedestrians killed were children. Almost half of pedestrian fatalities are alcohol-related, and most occur at non-intersection crossings. Drivers who speed are much more likely to cause accidents or severe injuries.
Additionally, the CDC reports that around eight people die every day due to distracted drivers — that’s over a thousand injuries. I’m talking to you, texters. Nothing you’re messaging about is more important than the safety of those around you.
These should be common-sense rules: don’t drink and drive, obey speed limits, cross at intersections, and for heaven’s sake, stop texting while driving! But sadly, many people ignore basic safety precautions and endanger themselves and others daily.
As for my daughter walking to school, I may consider letting her do it next year, although I’ll likely trail behind her for a while, ensuring she remains aware of her surroundings. I recently learned that children typically can’t accurately judge the speed and distance of moving vehicles until they’re at least 10 years old. Since she just turned 10, I feel justified in starting this process now and will allow her to go on her own only when I know she’s truly ready.
All I ask is that drivers do their part too. There is nothing so urgent (including being late for work) that necessitates speeding through residential areas frequented by children. And texting while driving is never acceptable.
Remember, we’re talking about the lives of our community members, young and old. Nothing is more important than their safety.
For more parenting insights, check out our other blog post on home insemination. If you’re looking for resources on fertility, Make a Mom offers valuable information. Additionally, consider visiting Cleveland Clinic for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary:
This article discusses the challenges of allowing children to walk home from school due to distracted and reckless driving behaviors in residential areas. The author expresses concern for her child’s safety while highlighting the importance of responsible driving, especially near schools.