Better safe than sorry

Fact 2

Better safe than sorry

28

With a little common sense you can avoid the risks in everyday life. Let’s look at the risks we face in the street. Did you know that every hour a young person is killed or injured by being hit by a car in the US?

It’s probably the same in your country. So, here are safety tips from the experts.

Always cross the road at an intersection or at a cross point.

Stop at the curb before you cross. Look both ways for traffic.

Glossary

injured: (past tense v.) physical harm or damage.

Listen for traffic too. Only cross when you’re sure it’s safe. When is it safe? When the traffic has stopped! Make eye contact with the drivers to make sure they have seen you! Hold out your arm to indicate you are going to cross.

Go to page 31 Activity Book

Pay attention. Never listen to music with headphones on while trying to cross the road. And don’t do any other distracting things like using a cell phone. A survey of a thousand young teens who were hit or nearly hit by a car or motorcycle has interesting results. Glossary

survey: (n.) document that investigates the opinions or experience of a group of people by asking them questions.

Glossary

sidewalk: (n.) a usually paved walk for people at the side of a street. Forty seven percent say they were listening to music at the time. Eighteen percent say they were texting, and 20% said they were talking on the phone.

One final piece of road safety advice. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic on the left side of the road.

And what if you’re a passenger in a car? Don’t talk loudly or yell in a way that might distract the driver. Always sit in the back and buckle your seat belt. Don’t stick your hands or head out of the window. Now’s a good time to listen to music with headphones on! Glossary

buckle: (v.) a piece of metal at one end of a belt or strap, used to fasten the two ends together.

Here’s some safety advice for when you are out on your bicycle. It’s always best to ride in a park. If that’s not an option, ride on the sidewalk when you can. In some countries it’s illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, but if you do it, remember the following tips.

A sidewalk is for pedestrians, so go SLOWLY. Pedestrians have right of way. Always stop for them. Never come up behind a pedestrian yelling, ringing a bell or anything else that could frighten them. The sidewalk is theirs, so be courteous. Glossary

pedestrian: (n.) a person going on foot. (walking).

Go to page 33 Activity Book

Glossary

driveway: (n.) a private road giving access from a public way. Sidewalks aren’t without danger for a cyclist! Be aware of cross streets and driveways. Slow down (even more) when you get to one and check for traffic! Drivers aren’t looking for bicycles coming off the sidewalk, so you have to be watching for them!

If it’s absolutely essential that you ride on the road, use hand signals and follow the rules of the road. If you don’t know the rules of the road, research them! If you are out on the road late evening or early morning, wear bright colors, so drivers can see you.

Just as important as keeping out of the way of traffic, is having the right equipment. A properly fitting helmet is the best way to reduce the risk of serious injury. Knee pads can protect you too, though they are not essential.

Finally, safety on the bus! School buses are one of the safest ways to travel, but students need to follow the safety rules! Wait until the bus has stopped before approaching it. Use the handrail when getting on. Sit quietly when on the bus and don’t block the aisle with books and bags. Glossary

handrail: (n.) a long, narrow bar of wood or metal that people can hold on to for support. aisle: (n.) a passage separating sections of seats.

Don’t get up until the bus has stopped completely and use the handrail when getting off. Wait for the bus to go before you try to cross the road. Then follow the rules for pedestrian safety.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, remember the saying: it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Go to page 35 Activity Book