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1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (FAX)
Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman
Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII
Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter
John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition
John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office
Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association
Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office
Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital
Association
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| For Immediate Release:
October 5, 2005 |
Contact: Jan Stegelman 785-296-1223 or
Cherie Sage 785-296-0351
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Safe Kids Kansas Leads Local Activities on
International Walk to School Day October 5
New Research on Most Dangerous U.S. Areas for Child Pedestrians Released
Kansas children have an opportunity to participate in a very special walk to school today
when over 35 schools and community groups across the state celebrate International Walk to School
Day. Safe Kids Kansas sponsors Kansas Walk to School Day each year to teach children about safe
pedestrian behavior and to encourage schools and communities to improve the walking environment.
More than 7,000 children are participating in the events statewide. (use number of reflectors
distributed by KDOT). Even if your community or school does not participate in this special
event, Safe Kids Kansas encourages parents and caregivers to walk with their children sometime
during this week to teach children safe behavior - look both ways before crossing the street,
cross only at a crosswalk or intersection, and obey traffic signals. The best way for adults
to teach safe behaviors is to practice it and be good role models.
Based on new research released today by Safe Kids Worldwide with funding from FedEx Express,
Kansas communities have many of the characteristics of a dangerous community for child pedestrians.
The Kansas City Metro Area was ranked the 20th most dangerous U.S metro area for child pedestrians
among 47 major metropolitan areas studied. Memphis, Tenn., was ranked as the most dangerous U.S.
metro area and Austin, Texas, was the safest of the areas evaluated in Child Pedestrians at Risk:
A Ranking of U.S. Metropolitan Areas.
"We learned from this study that it is not just one thing that determines the relative safety
of cities," says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator. "Many factors contribute to the safety
of our children as pedestrians, including how involved the community is as a whole. It is everyone's
responsibility to protect the children in our state from pedestrian accidents."
Factors common to the safer areas include:
Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Cities designed to be pedestrian-friendly were found to
be safer than those designed to cater only to drivers. Areas with more interconnected streets
that are accessible and encouraging to pedestrians were found to be safer than those with wide,
diffuse street networks.
Civic involvement in pedestrian safety issues. There was a higher rate of collaboration in
the safer areas among multiple community organizations than was reported in the more dangerous areas.
Safe Kids Kansas will continue to encourage partnerships among local organizations dedicated to
improving their community.
Support from government agencies. Child pedestrians were found to be safer in areas where the
local government and the state are involved in pedestrian safety.
More frequent exposure to walking. It was also found that in the safer areas children tend
to walk more frequently than children in the more dangerous areas. Children who walk less frequently
may be less aware of safe pedestrian behaviors. Safe Kids Kansas encourages parents to walk often
with their children and teach them safe behaviors.
Nationwide, pedestrian injuries are the number two cause of accidental death among children ages
5 to 14. Each year in the United States, approximately 650 children are killed and 43,000 treated in
emergency rooms as a result of pedestrian injuries. In Kansas, 43% of the children hospitalized for
pedestrian injury were age 5-9.
As part of Kansas Walk to School Day, children and parents receive tips on how to choose a safe
walking route, pedestrian safety tips, and a Walkability Survey which helps parents to determine how
safe their child's route to school is. Participating children receive a reflective zipper pull for
their backpack. If you would like more information about safe walking tips and how to improve child
pedestrian safety in your community, or for a copy of Child Pedestrians at Risk, visit
www.usa.safekids.org.
Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses
dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and
chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford,
Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery,
Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and
Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area
and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network
of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.
International Walk to School Day is dedicated to walking to school with a purpose - to promote
physical activity, safety, health and concern for the environment. International Walk to School Day
is promoted nationally by The Partnership for a Walkable America. www.walktoschool.org.
*Note to the media: A list of Kansas communities and schools participating in Walk to School
Day is attached.
Participating Communities and Schools |
www.kansassafekids.org
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