At my son’s school, the fourth grade marks a significant milestone: students can begin walking home independently. Teachers no longer have the responsibility to ensure that kids are picked up by a designated guardian. As the school day wraps up, if children aren’t boarding a bus or attending an after-school program, they’re free to leave on their own.
This year, several fourth-graders have embraced this newfound freedom, but my son is not among them. Our house is just a stone’s throw away from the school—literally on the same street. I had great intentions to teach him how to navigate the walk home, discussing what we would need to practice and the signs that indicated he was ready. Yet, as the end of the school year approaches, I must admit: he’s still not walking home alone.
While he sometimes gets lost in thought, I trust his ability to focus on important matters. My hesitation isn’t rooted in being an overly protective parent; I consider myself quite reasonable in that regard.
No, the issue lies not with him, and not with me—but with you.
Yes, you—those distracted, hurried drivers glued to your phones while barreling through school zones. Your reckless behavior is why I can’t allow my responsible 10-year-old to walk the mere three blocks from our home to school.
For context, our street is not only a school zone, but also a busy commuter route. As we walk, we encounter other commuters—often racing to catch a train—but they aren’t the problem.
To reach my son’s school, we must navigate past a train station during peak hours. Adjacent to the station is a parking lot where commuters leave their vehicles. Daily, I find myself putting my arm out to shield my kids as a driver speeds into the parking lot, prioritizing his train over our safety. The notion of planning ahead seems lost on him.
After passing through the train station’s tunnel, we arrive at a major intersection where parents often make U-turns to escape the dead-end by the school. This is where I frequently have to shout at my kids to stop, as a distracted driver—a mom busy texting about cupcakes—zips through a stop sign without a glance.
I apologize for raising my voice, but what other choice do I have? We see parents driving through stop signs and crosswalks in school zones, oblivious to their surroundings. Do people not grasp that vehicles can be incredibly dangerous? Cars are remarkable inventions, undeniably essential to modern life, but they require utmost caution to operate—especially in neighborhoods filled with children.
If you’re unaware of the grim statistics regarding pedestrian safety, let me enlighten you. In 2015, the CDC reported over 5,300 pedestrian fatalities due to car accidents—averaging about 1.6 deaths per hour. Tragically, children account for 1 in 5 pedestrian deaths. Additionally, nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities involve alcohol, whether from drivers or pedestrians. Most pedestrian deaths occur at non-intersection crossings, and speeding drivers significantly increase the risk of accidents.
The CDC also notes that distracted driving claims about eight lives each day—over a thousand injuries—thanks to drivers who cannot tear their eyes away from their phones. Texting drivers, I’m looking at you. Nothing you are engaged in is more important than the safety of those around you.
These points may seem like common sense: don’t drink and drive, don’t speed, and please—stop texting while driving! Yet, countless individuals ignore these basic safety protocols, jeopardizing their lives and others daily.
As for my son, I may allow him to walk to school next year, but I’ll likely follow closely behind for quite some time to ensure he remains fully aware of his surroundings. Research indicates that children typically cannot accurately judge the speed and distance of vehicles until age 10, which is why I feel justified in taking my time to prepare him. He will only walk alone when I am 100% confident in his readiness.
All I ask is for drivers to do their part. There is nothing so urgent—be it a late meeting or a missed train—that justifies speeding through a residential area, particularly one frequented by children. And texting while driving? Absolutely unacceptable.
Remember, we are discussing the safety of our community members, young and old. Nothing is more important than their lives.
For those interested in family planning and safety resources, check out this insightful article on home insemination kits or visit Cleveland Clinic’s podcast on IVF and fertility preservation for excellent information. For more parenting insights, explore this important discussion on child safety.
In summary, let’s prioritize safety over convenience. Every child deserves to walk home without fear, and it’s on all of us to make that possible.