Do you teach your kids to look both ways?

[PotterWatch]

I took my kids to see The Lightning Thief today (it was pretty good, but of course not nearly as good as the book). We were on our way back home and stopped at a red light, about five cars back from the front where the crosswalk was. Two kids with skateboards ran in front of the car in front of me, across the median and then to the sidewalk on the other side of the road. I watched them thinking how idiotic it was for them to cross where they did rather than at the crosswalk that was 30ft away. As the light turned, another kid came into view and almost got hit by a car pulling into the left turn lane next to me. He managed to dodge that car, proceeded to the median and then started to try and run across the rest of the street. He didn't make it. He was struck by an oncoming van about 10ft away from my car. The van had no way to avoid him, he just barreled right out in front of her. Luckily, she wasn't going too fast as her light had just turned green and she had just started to pick up speed. I called my husband who is a paramedic and had left the theatre about a minute before we did. I pulled into a nearby parking lot and waited for my husband and then for EMS. The kid will be just fine, just bruised up really bad. He was incredibly lucky for having done such a stupid thing. One of the first things I told my kids was... "this is exactly why we teach you to use crosswalks and look before you walk"! I hope they remember what they saw today and that they never make the poor choice that this boy did.

 

[saddina]

Yes I taught them to look both ways.

About 5 years ago Mr. Saddi was driving home on the 2 lane county "highway" that weaves thru several towns. it's a 60 mph rd, even in town. A kid ran out and tried to run across to the 7-11, and didn't make it. Mr. Saddi did the CPR but it was no good.

 

[Boyd]

when my son was 5 or 6 he tried a break away sprint to the front door of the building which was across the street. Of course I had always talked about looking both ways, but he got excited and sprinted... just as a teen talking on a cell phone started up that side of the road.

Didn't mean to exactly, but I grabbed my sons coat by the back collar (was aiming for anything really) and yanked him backwards just in time. My son started crying and telling me I was mean till he looked back and saw the car still skidding and trying to get control back. He sort of realized at that point and hasn't done anything like it since.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
That is why my parents call this method a "parent's death grip". Good for you Boyd for saving your son's neck! He would have been injured bad if it was not for your quick response!

Too many kids think they got the right of way.....no wonder there were so many accidents on streets, the mall and parks! Even on highways and train tracks, they do not belong there at all unless they are driving a car with supervision.

 

[gudrin]

Yes, we teach our daughter to look both ways. Even though she's not allowed to walk in parking lots, across streets, etc. without holding onto our hands yet (she's going to be three next month). She helps us look both ways every time. Now if I have my hands full and can't take her hand, she has to keep a hand on my leg at all times so I know exactly where she is. As she grows, I'll be practicing the death grip lunge that Boyd did, I'm sure.

Also, there is some confusion to the law (at least in Minnesota) that the pedestrian has the right of way. Yes, he/she does, but not when they just pop in front of a vehicle and don't give said vehicle driver any time to react. At least that was my interpretation of it when I went through drivers' ed.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Quote:
Having the right of way won't matter if you are splattered across the pavement.

I drive on a college campus and I'm amazed at the number of kids that will just step out in the street. Technically, they only have right of way at the crosswalks. We are all going slow and looking for them, but sometimes they step out of no where. My favorite is those walking at night on dark streets in dark pants and a black hoodie pulled up over their heads.

I will try my darndest not to hit you, but come on! Give me a little help here!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Ortega Highway? Many deaths on that road.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I teach mine to look both ways. But the other day my 12 year old went to check the mail. She has ADD, and claims she 'forgot' to look. Well, that's okay though because when she remembered IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, she stopped, and looked both ways.

I had to tell her she is no longer allowed to check the mail until she is more mature!!

I wonder if she will EVER get it sometimes. I will be so lucky to get this one raised to age 18!!

 

[PotterWatch]

I was just thouroughly amazed that the boy (teenager), didn't bother to look or even pause in his flight, even after almost getting hit by the first car! Of course there was a huge group of teenagers hanging around as the police and EMS were doing their jobs. I heard many of them saying things like "That lady should have stopped... I can't believe she hit him... They should arrest her! Those teens were completely convinced that their friend had been in the right for running out in front of a moving car. Seeing their friend bounce off the bumper apparently didn't have any effect on them at all. Idiots!

 

[saddina]

Quote:
Ortega Highway? Many deaths on that road.

Yep, but on this side, going thru Romoland, and what was needed so bad that the kids ran thru to get it? A jar of Pace salsa for tacos (dinner).