Event Teaches Kids about Pedestrian and Bike Safety to Prevent Accidents

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on October 10, 2009

A seven-year-old boy took his turn at the wheel of a FedEx truck and blew the horn on a vehicle parked near Wiles Elementary School recently. He was taking part in an exercise sponsored by Safe Kids of North Central Florida that was part of the 10th annual International Walk to School Day. This article published in the Gainesville Sun said that the boy and most of his classmates either ride their bikes or walk to school on a regular basis. Each child taking their turn behind the wheel of the truck gave them an idea of what drivers can and cannot see while traveling.

I could only see her head,” the second-grader said. “I know when I see a big truck like that to stand back so they can see me.”

The students and instructors at the school had a real appreciation of the lessons taught that day as a FedEx truck had struck one of their fellow students this past June while riding his bike to school. This bicycle accident exemplifies the type of unfortunate event that the local executive director for Safe Kids hopes to avoid by teaching the children pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The school’s principal said that she was hopeful that the safety awareness event would encourage more of her 650 students to walk or ride their bikes to school and reduce the heavy traffic before and after school.

As the kids arrived at school that day, they were able to stop at a table and select several items that promoted awareness about safety. The local FedEx operations manager walked his son to school that day as part of their regular routine. He said that having the truck at the school proactively helped the children understand pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Bicycle riders have nothing to protect them if struck by a vehicle. In 2007, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported over 4800 bicycle accidents in the state that killed 121 people and injured 4303 more. If you or a family member who died or sustained injury in a bicycle accident, call Orlando bicycle accident attorney James O. Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation about the accident. Attorney James O. Cunningham may be able to help you get compensation to help offset the steep costs of medical care and other accident-related expenses.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.