Most local kids and their families are in the groove of the new school year by now but for kids walking or riding bikes or scooters to and from school it’s important that parents ensure their kids are staying alert and watching for vehicles. According to Safe Kids Utah, traffic collisions are the number one cause of death among children ages 5 to 19 in the United States. Every hour, nearly 50 children visit ERs with an injury related to bikes, scooters, skates or skateboards with serious head injuries making up 11 percent of the visits. Fractured limbs were the most frequent diagnosis for hospital treatments. So parents, teach your children safe practices of crossing roads and staying aware. Make safety gear such as wearing a helmet the rule, not just a suggestion. And when it comes to drivers on the road, Assistant Vernal City Police Chief Keith Campbell gives clear instruction: “Be cautious and slow down near schools.” Campbell says there will be an increase in enforcement in those areas.
