Children and roadways don’t always mix; one misstep by a child or a wrong move by a driver could cause a serious collision that could lead to severe injuries or the death of the child involved. Getting hit by a car is one of the leading causes of death for children between the ages of 5 and 9. Why is it so likely for this age group to get hurt?
According to the Association for Psychological Science, children are sometimes to blame. They can be easily distracted, may not look both ways, could be texting, talking to friends, playing a game or participating in other distracting activities. Children are also tend to weigh less and be shorter than adults, so the likelihood of an accident leading to injuries or death is higher.
The Association for Psychological Science reports that it’s true that some children won’t see cars coming, and that can lead to accidents. That’s why drivers who are in a child-laden area need to slow down and be vigilant. For example, if a driver enters a school zone, he or she needs to make sure not to speed, since children could be near the roads and could enter the roadway suddenly.
The reasoning behind signage that shows children in an area is to provide drivers with the knowledge they need to prevent accidents. Being negligent and speeding, talking on a phone or performing other tasks while driving isn’t acceptable, since drivers have already been warned about the danger of young children. By violating the laws around these specific areas, whether it be a school zone or residential area, the driver can be held liable for the injuries suffered.
Source: Full Frontal Psychology, “Why kids get hit by cars,” Wray Herbert, accessed Jan. 19, 2016