Phone: 2622522552
LOCAL 2150
A message from your IBEW Local 2150 Safety Committee
Updated On: May 18, 2018

Pedestrian Safety:

A Little History
Back in 1995, children ages 5 to 9 were more at risk than any other age group under 19 for being struck by a vehicle while walking. The good news is, the death rate for kids of all ages in this category declined more than 50 percent in the last 20 years.

But there is much more work to be done. According to a study by SafeKids.org, 61 children are hit by cars every day in the United States, most often during the hours before and after school, and peaking in September. And, there has been a noticeable demographic shift. It is now much more likely a teenager will be hit by a car than his younger counterpart.

Of the 484 pedestrians ages 19 and younger who died after being hit by a motor vehicle in 2013, 47 percent were age 15 to 19, according to Injury Facts 2015. We also know that 16,000 pedestrians 19 and younger were injured in 2013. That's 44 per day.

The injury and death rates for teens has leveled off over the years, but it has not improved significantly.

They Send How Many Texts??
With this knowledge, the National Safety Council is focused on efforts to eliminate distracted walking – specifically walking while texting. According to a study by The Nielsen Company, kids age 13 to 17 send more than 3,400 texts a month. That's seven messages every hour they are awake.

Before you head out, remind yourself of these year-round safety tips:
Never walk while texting or talking on the phone
If texting, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk
Never cross the street while using an electronic device
Do not walk with headphones on
Be aware of the surroundings
Always walk on the sidewalk if one is available; if a child must walk on the street, he or she should face oncoming traffic
Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street
Cross only at crosswalks

Not Only Kids Are Distracted
Drivers have a lot to pay attention to in school zones, too, and there is never an occasion that justifies using a phone while driving. One call or text can change everything.

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control revealed that the most common form of travel to school for students age 5 to 14 is the family car. That translates into a lot of cars in school zones at the same time. Eliminating all distractions is key to keeping children safe.

At the National Safety Council, we don't believe in accidents. Please join us in doing everything you can to prevent senseless injuries and deaths.


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Contact Info
IBEW Local 2150
N56W13777 Silver Spring Dr.
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
  2622522552

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