Child Pedestrian Awareness: Sample Letter to the Editor

[insert date]

Letter to the Editor
[insert newspaper name]

To the Editor:

Summer is a time when our children are outdoors, engaged in any number of fun activities. Watching out for cars is likely the last thing on their mind.

In 2007, _____ children aged 14 and younger were killed on the roads of our state. The most recent national statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that almost one-fifth (306 children, 18%) of the traffic fatalities in the 14-and-younger age group were pedestrians. Of the 306 children who were killed while on foot, boys accounted for 61% of the total.  In addition to the pedestrian fatalities, an estimated 14,000 children were injured as pedestrians.

Every adult member of our community needs to become educated about and watch out for vulnerable child pedestrians.  Many myths surround child pedestrian safety such as “You’re safe as long as you’re in a crosswalk” and “if you see the driver, the driver sees you.”  Parents need to take immediate action to make sure that their children are informed on the dos and dont's of pedestrian safety.  Local governments need to make the construction, maintenance and enforcement of safe walkways a priority. For example, roads could be constructed to include more speed bumps to reduce speeds and police officers could be strategically placed high traffic areas to monitor drivers.

Let’s enjoy our summer outdoor activities, but let’s be smart and safe. One child’s death is too many.

[Insert Name]

Click here to download a PDF of the above sample letter.

Please go to the following URL and download the "Traffic Safety Facts 2007:Children" to find state statistics for your state.

http://nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.dfedd570f698cabbbf3081106000...