Pedestrian safety spotlighted after two serious crashes
FOX VALLEY, Wis. (WFRV) – This week, two separate crashes that left two young girls critically injured has put pedestrian safety in the spotlight.
The first crash happened Wednesday night in Appleton on the corner of Badger Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue. Police said a 13-year-old girl crossed the intersection against the signal, got hit by a car, and is in the hospital in critical condition.
The second crash happened in rural Fond du Lac County near Van Dyne. Law enforcement officials said a pickup hit a 6-year-old girl who is now in the hospital with life threatening injuries.
“Educating kids on where they need to be and where drivers are going to expect to see them is really important,” said Kimberly Hess who is the executive director for the Center for Childhood Safety in Ashwaubenon.
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As the name of the organization implies, Hess is in the business of keeping children safe.
She said it’s important for kids to know the safest places to cross the street and to understand that sometimes they might have to go out of their way to reach these places. She also said that kids should know what traffic signals and signs mean.
When they present at schools, officials with the Center for Childhood Safety give out lights that clip onto kids clothing so they can be more visible when it’s dark outside. Hess also recommends that kids wear light colored or reflective clothing.
“Most kids think it’s the adults job when in reality it’s everybody’s job to look left,right , left before you cross the road,” said Hess.
Officer Joe Benoit with the Neenah police department said they generally get more calls for crashes involving vehicles hitting pedestrians in the warmer months. He reiterated the importance of reflective clothing and offered the following advice.
“Use the buddy system and don’t play in the street,” he said.
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With more kids outside playing in the nice weather, Benoit advises motorists to remain vigilant. He also reminds drivers that in residential neighborhoods in Wisconsin if there’s no speed limit sign the speed limit is automatically 25 mph.
“We need to keep a watchful eye around the schools around the parks for kids doing unpredictable kid things,” said Benoit.
The Center for Childhood Safety hosts summer safety classes for kids. For more information on these classes, please click here.
