JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Students at Andrew Robinson Elementary School participated in National Walk to School Day, an event that encourages students and community members to travel to school by walking, biking, scootering, or using wheelchairs to promote physical health, reduce traffic congestion and improve neighborhood safety.<\/p>\n
Because of rain, the event was moved indoors Wednesday, with students walking through the school\u2019s hallways instead of along nearby streets.<\/p>\n
Students moved from the hallways to the school\u2019s outdoor courtyard, sharing pedestrian safety tips with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cI make sure to look every way, even backwards, at intersections, even if it\u2019s not at the corner of the block,\u201d said fourth-grader Timothy Hall.<\/p>\n
Third-grader Aubrey said visibility is important when walking near traffic. \u201cWhen it\u2019s dark, wear light colors so drivers can see you,\u201d Aubrey said.<\/p>\n
The walk was part of a school safety initiative led by Safe Kids Northeast Florida and Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital, organizations that regularly work with children injured in pedestrian accidents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see kids coming to our hospital that have been injured as they\u2019re out playing in their neighborhood, walking to school,\u201d said Jessica Winberry, injury prevention coordinator for Safe Kids Northeast Florida. \u201cWe\u2019re really trying to increase their understanding of how to be safe as a pedestrian.\u201d<\/p>\n
School and safety leaders say distractions continue to be a major factor in pedestrian injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, bikes and scooters are a huge reason, but distractions are probably number one,\u201d said Dr. Heather Albritton, Duval County Public Schools director of health education and physical education. \u201cMaking sure you stay off your phone, you have your earbuds out, paying attention as cars are coming and going, and you\u2019re aware of your surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duval County has one of the worst pedestrian fatality rates in the nation. While the program was geared toward elementary school students, Albritton said older students have increasingly been involved in pedestrian-related incidents.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would think that elementary is the most vulnerable age, but really statistics show lately that we\u2019ve had more middle and high school students injured,\u201d Albritton said. \u201cThis is the age that we can catch them and teach them all of the cognitive things that they need to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers said the biggest message of the day was simple: Drivers must remember to stop for pedestrians.<\/p>\n
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