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For All Parents What is the law in New Mexico?  Click Here! Pedestrian Safety Walking in a safe area is one of the best ways for children and adults to stay healthy and fit. However, there are safety issues that parents should consider. Children are most often hit by vehicles near their homes in the afternoon. Many children are also hit at bus stops by cars passing the school bus illegally. Children under the age of ten are in danger because, as research indicates, they pay attention to only one thing at a time. While playing, they may forget about traffic. Young children do not understand the danger of a moving car. They cannot judge the speed of a vehicle coming toward them. When they see a car, they assume the driver sees them and can stop instantly. For toddlers (1 to 3 years of age), the greatest danger is your driveway. Vehicles backing out of driveways hit many toddlers. Toddlers are also in danger of wandering into the street while playing or walking. Always check behind your vehicle before you get into it to make sure there are no children behind you. Find fenced places where very young children can play safely. Keep them away from streets, driveways, and alleys. Always hold hands with your

child when walking and crossing. What are some things you can do to make your child safer near the street? Make sure an adult is with children around traffic. Do not expect older children to take care of younger ones near streets. Teach children to cross streets safely. Show them that you cross safely, too. They learn from watching you. Find the safest walking routes to the places your child goes. Dress children in bright colors so drivers can see them easily. Slow down when you are driving. Be cautious on neighborhood streets, near schools, and around playgrounds. Always stop for school buses with flashing red lights. Obey the speed limits - even a 5-mph lower speed can mean much less severe injury if you hit a child. Always hold hands with a young child when crossing streets. Children are small and it's hard for drivers to see them. If you would like more information or printed materials covering the issue of pedestrian safety, please use the IPRC order form or call toll free 1-800-231-6145. IPRC Order Form >> For an interactive, fun way for parents and children to learn more about pedestrian safety, please visit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.dfedd570f698cabbbf30811060008a0c// Bicycle Safety Bicycles are vehicles. Children should not ride bikes in the road until they fully understand traffic rules and show they can follow them. For an interactive, fun way for parents and children to learn more about bike safety, please visit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.810acaee50c651189ca8e410dba046a0 If you would like more information or printed materials covering the issue of bicycle safety, please use the IPRC order form or call toll free 1-800-231-6145. IPRC Order Form >> Helmet Safety Most children who are killed in bike crashes are 7 to 12 years old. The most serious injuries children receive while biking are head and brain injuries. These injuries can cause death and lifelong disability. A brain injury cannot be cured. Bike helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85% when worn correctly. Insist that your children wear a helmet on every ride. They should also wear a helmet when participating in other sports, like in-line skating and skateboarding. Selecting and fitting a bike helmet: Every new helmet must meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Standard and display a label stating that it meets the standard. On older helmets, look for a CPSC, ASTM, ANSI, or Snell sticker inside the helmet. Use foam pads inside to fit the helmet snugly so it doesn't move on the head. Fit the helmet so the front is two finger widths above the eyebrows. Teach your child to wear their helmet the correct way. Adjust the two side straps so they meet in a "V" right under each ear. Adjust the chinstrap snugly under the chin. Make it tight enough so the helmet pulls down when the child opens his mouth. Check often to make sure the straps stay snug and the helmet stays level on the head. Your child will enjoy his or her helmet more if you let him or her help to choose it. Explain that a helmet is "just part of the gear," as it is with football, racecar driving, or hockey. Praise children for wearing their helmets. Talk to other parents, so that all neighborhood families encourage the same safety rules. Above all, be a good role model and wear your bike helmet!