Just because I live in Monsey, doesn’t mean I don’t follow The Lakewood Scoop; I do. And I see Lakewood has the same scooters, bikes, roller blades etc. problem that we have here.
So please listen…
As the days grow longer and warmer, Hatzoloh definitely sees an unusually high number of pedestrian injuries, as well as children on bikes and scooters being hit by cars.
It’s high time for parents to teach safety…and to enforce it to the best of their ability!
- Parents need to train the children that there is a right and wrong way of crossing the street and riding a bike or scooter. Given that Lakewood’s traffic has expanded exponentially, why should a young child ever be allowed to ride on roads with cars?
- Parents must ensure that there is no biking or going on a scooter or roller blades without a helmet, even for the biker with training wheels. Stress that children must wear appropriate shoes that grip pedals, not sandals or other hazardous shoes. Younger children should never ride in the street, but even children old enough to ride in the street need reminders to ride with traffic and obey all traffic laws. That includes red lights, stop signs, and yielding to pedestrians.
- Parents should look over their children’s bikes and scooters more than once during the Spring and Summer seasons. Make sure tires have sufficient air, the seat is not loose, and the handlebars are aligned. Additionally, adjust the bike or scooter so it is the right height for the rider. Riding a bike that is too tall creates safety issues if the rider cannot sit properly on the seat or reach the ground.
- Children should avoid bike riding or scooters in the early evening, as visibility is restricted, but for times when that is not feasible, children should wear a body reflector while riding, with flashing rear reflectors and a headlight visible for 500 feet.
- For children walking on the street, parents should lead by example. Cross only at crosswalks and obey traffic signals and rules. Explain to children the dangers of stepping out from between two cars. Show them how to make eye contact with drivers before crossing and explain that they should never presume cars will stop. Teach children from a young age, when you are still crossing the street with them at your side, to look left, right, and left again before stepping into the street. Remind children to stay on sidewalks whenever possible. Tell them to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic if a sidewalk is unavailable.
As much as parents can work on street smarts for their kids, drivers must be aware that kids will be kids, and the drivers usually bear the ultimate responsibility in case of an accident c”v. Drivers need to be on the lookout for children at all times, on bikes and on foot, especially when they spot other children near the street, and during inclement weather when people tend to be less careful. Drivers should always yield to pedestrians – even if they aren’t crossing at a crosswalk. Drivers should be especially mindful when pulling into and out of driveways – especially while backing up.
And pray to HaShem that everyone stays safe.
Parking carefully is important for keeping everyone safe and making things easier for others. Adults should avoid parking too close to corners because it blocks people’s views. They should also not park on sidewalks, which can force kids to walk on the road. It’s a problem when construction sites spill onto streets and sidewalks, making it unsafe for people to walk. We need more enforcement to make sure everyone stays safe.
Excellent advice to parents. One more advice for parents. When walking in street have your young child walk near shoulder instead of on the road side when holding your hand. You as parent should be on the road side – not your young child. Please don’t walk in packs of 3-4 across blocking driving lane. Please stop the hitchhiking — it’s illegal.
Thumbs up. Very well put
A wonderful letter. As a driver and a grandparent, I will take it to heart. Let’s keep our children safe.
Thank you Rabbi Golding for your care and concern for your fellow yid. And just because I live in Lakewood doesn’t mean I’m not aware -perhaps just a little of what you do for the klal. (I actually spent a Pesach with your guntza mishpocho many years ago at a hotel program). Klal Yisroel is indebted to you for all that you do for the tzibbur. May you have siyatta dishmaya to continue on all your endeavors till 120 in good health…
historically and traditionally it is the government’s duty and it’s elected officials’ obligation to study and establish guidelines, sponsor research and then set forth policy recommendations and to publish definitive protocol to prevent danger, beyond that to enact regulatory legislation which gives people an understanding of how to operate and what to avoid and enables safe usage while protecting innocent bystanders, so anything short of that is too miniscule a response for too great a problem which basically equals shirking responsibility
Why doesn’t Hatzolah adopt a Safety Town curriculum and deliver it to schools like many thousands of other towns have done. This education begins in kindergarten and progresses annually to 7th grade. Certainly this curriculum could be successfully adapted to fit the needs of Frum Jews.
Why stop at 7th grade. If you pay any attention at all, you’ll realize most adults have no idea about road safety.
Safety town values do continue to be part of student education in a great many public schools and some private religious schools, primarily RCC and Episcopalians. This instruction flows through to drivers ed, and life skills classes. I’m not aware of any Frum schools who offer drivers ed or life skills classes. Correct me if you are aware of any exceptions.
consumer protection should be number one on any administration’s list unless of course it is bogged down with scandal or otherwise preoccupied with an agenda such as ruining any local special education school
I agree with Schmendrick