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Children are taught to look both ways before crossing the street, but this common instruction is not enough to prevent kids from being at greater risk than adults of getting into a car crash.  Pedestrian accident victims are most likely to be either children or the elderly, and kids face a high rate of both serious injuries and death when they are struck by vehicles. 

One recent study aimed to determine if there were any behaviors children were engaging in that could help to explain the increased risk of child pedestrian fatalities.  The research found that kids did not have the same ability as adults do to determine when it is safe to cross the road.  Adult drivers need to be aware of the fact children's brains are not as developed and must ensure they take extra care in areas where children are most likely to be, such as school zones and residential neighborhoods.

If a driver strikes a child, it will be important to determine if the driver was negligent or engaged in any careless behavior that caused or contributed to the crash. Randall Spivey, a Ft Myers personal injury attorney, can help parents whose child was hurt or killed in a car accident. He and his team are prepared to assist parents in determining if they have a claim for damages and can help them pursue a case to receive compensation for economic and non-financial losses from a driver whose actions hurt their son or daughter.

Explaining the Risks to Children

News-Medical provided details on the recent study of child pedestrians, which was conducted at University of the Negev. The study took place in one of the world's most sophisticated traffic research facilities where it is possible to simulate real-world traffic experiences to assess driver and pedestrian behavior.

The researchers looked carefully at how children of different age groups perceived hazards.  Children who took part in the study were divided into three different groups: one group of 7 to 9 year olds; another group of 9 and 10 year olds; and a final group of 10 to 13 year-olds.  Adult pedestrians were part of the study as well.

The researchers set up 18 prototypical streets and observed the children and the adult pedestrians as they stood at the simulated street and made a determination on when it was safe to cross. An eye tracking device was used to record eye movements of the child and adult pedestrians in order to identify more specifics about their behaviors and decision-making process.

The researchers found that children between the ages of 7 and 10 had the hardest time determining if it was safe to cross. Kids of this age group were also unable to recognize when things like a parked car or a curved road obstructed their sightline and affected their ability to tell when they could go across the road.  Although younger children did the worst in the testing, even the kids between 10 and 13 were significantly less capable of identifying hazards than adults.

It is imperative that all drivers be aware kids may not be able to make the most informed choices about safe crossings. Drivers should pay careful attention and be on the lookout for kids in high-traffic residential areas so they can avoid an accident. If a crash does occur, a personal injury lawyer with the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. should be consulted by victims and their families to determine if they have options for recovering compensation for losses.