Every school day, countless students of all ages trudge down the streets of Pelham toting backpacks, instruments, and sports equipment. They walk in groups of two or three, sometimes with a parent, sometimes by themselves. As a driver, you probably weave through them, hoping they cross the street faster so you can get to your own destination. But what can you do to help them?

Pelham is a small town, and therefore unlike some other towns in Westchester, it doesn’t have a bus service to transport kids to school. With a large quantity of children walking in such a condensed space, making sure that they get to school safely is important. This is why Pelham has 11 part-time crossing guards located on busy intersections. 

“In 2017, Pelham had a total of 236 motor vehicle accidents,” said Police Chief Jason Pallett. “In 2018, Pelham won a Gold award from the AAA for our efforts and public outreach in Community Traffic Safety.”

Nonetheless, many accidents occur at intersections or in the lanes of traffic. In the US, there are an average of 3,000 fatalities at stop signs every year. Some of these accidents occur because drivers disobey traffic signs such as stop signs and no turn on red signs, which can incur a fine. Now that school is in full swing and many kids are walking to school everyday, it’s imperative that drivers follow all traffic signs for kids’ safety.

When we asked why traffic safety is important, we got many responses.

Crossing guard Lorraine Lunapiena’s post is near the train station, and therefore she helps both children and  commuters cross the street. Lunapiena said that cars and bicycles must follow the law to keep people safe.

Pallett said that traffic safety can be a matter of life or death, and that the rules and signs posted are for everybody’s safety. It’s crucial that everybody follows these rules and signs.

Even some of the children of Pelham have opinions on the matter. Lucy Cole, a fifth grader at Colonial, said that she wants to have a safe walking and driving environment for all.

Walking is a great form of exercise for everyone, young or old. Whether you’re walking to the Picture House or down Fifth Avenue, be sure to keep in mind these tips.

• Don’t use your cell phone while walking. Many pedestrians get distracted by their cell phones, which reduces their situational awareness.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Pedestrians should only cross at crosswalks and corners.