Over 300 local children are expected to participate this year in activities associated with a national campaign to teach them how to be safe pedestrians.

Volunteers from Safe Kids Tucson and FedEx will host an event at Whitmore Elementary School on October 3^rd, to encourage families to create safe walking routes in observance of International Walk to School Day.

Whitmore Elementary, located at 5330 E. Glenn Road, has been identified as an area where many drivers violate the speed limit.

According to a Safe Kids media release, pedestrian injuries are the second highest cause of accidental death among children ages 5 to 14 in the country. Also, more than 630 children are killed each year as a result of pedestrian injuries.

“Parents, caregivers and teachers need to be aware of influencing factors for children when they are walking and address those when teaching them about pedestrian safety,” Safe Kids Tucson Coordinator Yomaira Diaz said.

Safe Kids offers a year-round Walk This Way program that teaches children important safety tips and behaviors.

To learn more about Safe Kids Tucson and their efforts with improving child pedestrian safety call (520) 324-2783 or click here.

For further information on International Walk to School Day, click here.