Day: October 6, 2015

Philadelphia, October 6, 2015 – In celebration and recognition of ‘International Walk to School Day’ on Wednesday, October 7th, Mayor Michael A. Nutter urges Philadelphians to consider and practice traffic safety techniques every day.rnrn rnrn“In Philadelphia, 30% of pedestrians who are hit by drivers are under the age of 18. This is a preventable tragedy,” said Mayor Nutter. “It is everyone’s job—whether you are a parent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend, or neighbor—to teach our children to walk and bike to school safely. In addition, we need to make sure that those of us who drive vehicles do so in a responsible way, especially in neighborhoods and near school and recreation center buildings, so that everyone has a safe environment in which to walk.”rnrn rnrnTo raise awareness around this important issue, Mayor Nutter has asked Philadelphia school communities to join schools around the world in recognizing International Walk to School Day.rnrn rnrnTips to discuss with children about walking safely include:rnrnLook up and put distractions awayrnStop, look, and listen before crossing the streetrnMake eye contact with drivers to be sure they see yournWalk on sidewalks and watch out for cars that are turning or backing uprnFollow traffic signs and signalsrnCross the street at the corner and in the crosswalkrn rnrnIn addition, for those who drive, remember to:rnrnSlow down and drive 15 mph in school zones and the speed limit in other locationsrnWatch out for small children, especially when turning or backing uprnBe courteous and predictable around all who walk, especially childrenrnPut down your cell phone and other distractions and engage fully in the task of drivingrn rnrnThe Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Transportation & Utilities and Department of Public Health sponsor Safe Routes Philly, www.saferoutesphilly.org, an initiative to teach children how to walk and bike to school safely. In partnership with Safe Routes Philly, the following 13 Philadelphia public schools will participate in Walk to School Day:rnrn rnrnAlexander Adaire Elementary SchoolrnBach Martin Elementary SchoolrnCook-Wissahickon Elementary SchoolrnFrances Willard Elementary SchoolrnHamiliton Disston Elementary SchoolrnHenry C. Lea Elementary SchoolrnH. Taggart Elementary SchoolrnJames J. Sullivan Elementary SchoolrnMeredith Elementary SchoolrnSamuel Powel Elementary SchoolrnSheridan Elementary SchoolrnSolis Cohen Elementary SchoolrnWilliam Cramp Elementary School.