In Utah, in an average year, 40 pedestrians are killed and 1,100 are hit in pedestrian/automobile crashes. Over one-half of the pedestrians hit and one-third of pedestrians killed are children. Children are at risk because of their small size and because they do not have the skills to handle traffic until they are at least 10 or 11 years of age. These tragic crashes can be reduced if children have safe routes to and from school, if they understand key traffic safety rules and if the community understands the dangers children face while walking.
September is Green Ribbon Month! During September, schools are encouraged to choose a week to promote pedestrian safety to students, parents and the community. Schools will hold activities to teach children how to walk and bike to school safely and to remind drivers to look for children and slow down in school zone.
The Weber-Morgan Health Promotion Division is giving out 10 Green Ribbon Month packets along with posters and green ribbon rolls. These items are meant to be used by elementary school officials to organize Green Ribbon Month events.The packet includes ideas for classroom activities, school safety fair and information about current community resources. The items are given out on the first come, first served basis. To request a packet, poster and green ribbon roll, please call 801-399-7181 or email:
Elisabeth Hansen: lhansen@co.weber.ut.us
Travis Olsen: tolsen@co.weber.ut.us
The packet is also available for free download HERE.
If you are parents and are interested in encouraging your children to walk to school, please check out the Walking School Bus app by Student Neighborhood Access Program ( SNAP) HERE. A walking school bus is a group of students walk to school with one or more adult. Parents in a neighborhood can use the app to organize walking school bus to the local elementary school.
Here to a safe and healthy school year!
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