News Specialist Jed Boal Reporting
Children are safer walking in traffic today than they were a decade ago, according to a new national report.
The streets to school have also been safer for *Utah kids this year.
But, police say motorists can always be more alert
when driving in neighborhoods and near schools.
The study by the National Safe Kids Campaign shows the number of children hit and killed by cars was cut in half during the 1990's.
Here in Utah, we're having a safe year so far...but, it can still be very dangerous for children on foot.
Pete Gallegos has been a crossing guard at Washington Elementary in Salt Lake City for 17 years...he says most of the kids are very careful.
No child has ever been hit by a car in this crosswalks...but, he says too many motorists are loose with the laws in the school zone.
They speed...roll through stop signs and ignore the rules of the cross walks.
Pete Gallegos/Crossing Guard: FOR THE MOST PART THEY'RE PRETTY GOOD...BUT THERE ARE SOME WILD ONES, I'LL TELL YOU THAT.
The Safe Kids study found 475 children were killed while walking public roadways in 2000...
that's down from 861 deaths in 1990.
Parents' concerns about safety, long distances, time and crime lead many parents to put their kids on buses or drive them to school.
In Utah the number of child pedestrian deaths per year fluctuated between 30 and 40 during the 1990's.
Last year, 28 children were killed by cars.
But, only three children so far this year.
Many parents pick up their youngs kids or walk them to and from school for several reasons.
I'M GLAD WE HAVE A PASSING GUARD HERE. I THINK IT HELPS. BUT, I STIL COME WITH HIM...KINDERGARTEN AGE...AND THEN SAFETY FROM KIDNAPPING AND THAT SORT OF THING.
Pete Gallegos runs a pretty orderly school zone...but, children dash through neighborhoods during most hours of daylight.
He wishes all drivers would keep their eyes peeled for kids as though they were their own children.
Pete Gallegos/Crossing Guard: THEY SHOULD TAKE MORE CARE OF THE KIDS. THEY'VE GOT A LIFE TO LIVE YOU KNOW.
