Making Safety Happen - One step at a Time!

Ei87 – Safe Kids Canada has joined forces with FedEx Express Canada to create the Pedestrian Safety Program, aimed at reducing pedestrian injuries to children across Canada . To launch the program, today, FedEx will be delivering reflective stickers with Safe Kids Canada pedestrian safety messages to elementary school children at locations across the country.

“Pedestrian injuries are the number one cause of serious injury and death to Canadian children ages five to nine. With the generous support from FedEx Express Canada, we are working with communities across Canada to raise awareness of pedestrian safety issues,” says Allyson Hewitt, executive director, Safe Kids Canada.

Every week in Canada , on average, 80 child pedestrians are involved in a collision with a motor vehicle. Each year more than 4,000 children are hit by motor vehicles while playing outdoors or walking to school, to a friend’s house, to sports activities, or to a neighbourhood shop.

“FedEx employees are active, dedicated citizens who place a high priority on pedestrian safety in the communities in which they live and work” says Rajesh Subramaniam, president of FedEx Express Canada. “Supporting the prevention of pedestrian injury through dedicated grant and volunteer support is both a responsibility and a privilege.”

According to Safe Kids Canada, young children cannot reliably make safe choices about crossing streets on their own. They have difficulty telling what direction sound is coming from, how fast a vehicle is traveling and how far away a car is. Because children are smaller, it is harder for them to see cars and be seen by drivers.

“Understanding traffic is a complex process that needs quick decision-making, and we know that children do not generally develop the necessary skills and judgment for this until about age nine,” says Hewitt.

To help children walk to school safely, Safe Kids Canada recommends:

* Walk to school with children who are younger than age nine.

One idea is for parents to organize a “walking school bus” which picks up children as it walks through the neighbourhood. This way, parents can share the responsibility and time involved in getting children to school safely.

* Teach your children the rules of the road from an early age.

Children should learn to stop, look both ways, listen for cars, and wait until the way is clear before crossing. Pedestrians should be sure to make eye contact with drivers at stop signs and crosswalks.

* Plan and practice a “walkable” route to school.

Choose routes that include sidewalks or other off-street pathways, and streets with less traffic volume and slower speeds. Plan a route that crosses as few streets as possible and where crossings have good visibility for both pedestrians and vehicles.

* Advocate for safer streets.

If you cannot find a “walkable” route to your child’s school, contact your municipal councilor about pedestrian safety in your community. Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and traffic islands have been shown to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths.

* Be a safe driver.

If you drive your children to school, and anytime you are in the car, respect the speed limits and the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other children on wheels.

* Teach children about school bus safety.

Many schools provide bus safety instruction for children each year. Make sure your kids have a safe place to wait and to walk home from the school bus.

About Safe Kids Canada

Safe Kids Canada is the national injury prevention program of Toronto ‘s Hospital for Sick Children. The mission of Safe Kids Canada is to prevent injuries by educating the public about injury prevention and by working to create safer environments. Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among children in Canada . For more information contact Safe Kids Canada at 1-888-SAFE-TIPS or www.safekidscanada.ca.

About FedEx Express Canada

Federal Express Canada Ltd. is a global logistics and transportation company offering domestic and international shipping and electronic commerce solutions. The company uses real-time package status tracking systems, automated customs clearance services and a dedicated air and ground transportation network to serve Canadian and global markets. FedEx employs approximately 5,000 people in over 60 facilities coast-to-coast. For more information, visit www.fedex.ca.