WINTERVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Unintentional injuries such as vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That’s why Safe Kids, North Carolina Active Routes to School, and ECU Health’s Injury Prevention Program held a Walk and Bike to School day this morning to prioritize safety and inform students of the important precautions to take.
Families like parent and volunteer Dalil Abolibda’s came together for a morning stroll to school.
“We were walking to school every single day from overseas in Jordan. Now I want my daughters to have the same or similar experience,” says.
Dr. Katherine Dale, Winterville Safe Routes to School Coordinator told WITN the main goal of the event is to ease the concerns of parents and shed light on safety. “We often think about our kids getting hit on the way to school or getting abducted, these are all fears that parents have.”
Dale says they do this by sharing practical tips.
“Wearing a helmet, is super important. We’re giving out helmets to any students who are rolling and don’t have one. Making sure we’re looking both ways before crossing the street, that we’re rolling on the right side of the road and walking on the left of the street when there’s not sidewalks present, being aware of traffic, and making eye contact with drivers,” said Dale.
According to Dale, it’s not just those walking or rolling that need to be aware. “If you’re behind the wheel of a car, put down your cellphone, get your maps, get your music up before you leave. Distracted driving is a major cause of people not being able to see young children.”
If you missed the event, participants say you don’t want to miss next year.
Macey Cobb, a student who walked to school says, “I’m definitely going to bike next year. If you’re not here, I blame you.”
Organizers say at least twenty to thirty kids and their families from A.G. Cox Middle School and W.H. Robinson Elementary schools came out to participate in the Walk and Bike to School Day.