Maine DOT Reminds: School’s Out Which Means The Kids Are Out And About, Too

It's officially summer break for most schools in Maine, and with that comes an influx of kids who are not longer in the brick and mortar buildings to learn, but out and about trying to have some summer fun.

girl in pink tank top riding on bicycle during daytime

Those little side-roads you used to be able to cut down during the day could be teaming with tiny tots this summer, which calls for extra care when driving.
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Whether they're walking or biking or working on a sidewalk chalk masterpiece, kids will be participating in all sorts of activities outside this summer.

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As we all know, sometimes kids aren't the very best at paying attention to their surroundings, so it's our job as the grown ups in the situation to pay extra attention out for them.

girl in white dress standing beside man in blue and white plaid dress shirt

According to safekids.org, say teaching kids some simple safety rules, and encouraging to not only to obey the rules of the road when it comes to sidewalks and crosswalks, but to keep distraction free (so unplugged from devices) while near traffic is key to keeping out of harm's way.

a young boy running through a sprinkle of water

"Unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children ages 5 to 19. Teenagers are now at greatest risk. Teens have a death rate twice that of younger children and account for half of all child pedestrian deaths."

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Even Maine's Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be on the lookout for kids this summer.

Experts say kids should be taught to look both ways, not once but twice, and to wait till it's safe to cross the street. It's also important to remind them that when they walk along a street, to face traffic as far left as possible so drivers can see them, and they can reduce the risk of getting hit.

girl in yellow shirt standing on gray concrete blocks during daytime

They should also know how to use crosswalks, sidewalks, traffic signals. It's also recommended that all kids under 10 be accompanied by an adult when crossing the street.

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Parents, it's also important to be aware of what your kids are wearing at what time of day. Reflective clothing, when possible, on the little ones will make them more visible to folks who are driving as the sun goes down.

Stay alert and stay safe this summer. Enjoy yourselves!