NORTH TEXAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – School is out for the summer break which means more kids playing outside and an increase in youngsters getting hit by cars.
Medstar responded to 507 auto pedestrian crashes between June 1st and August 31st of last year. 41 of the victims were under 15 years old.
The Tarrant County ambulance service said there are two main factors that lead to these easily-avoidable accidents.
“One is inattentiveness either by the pedestrian or the driver. So, you can imagine if the pedestrian is not looking for the car the car is not looking for the pedestrian…often there can be catastrophic results,” he said.
The worst time of day for kids to be hit by cars is between 3 and 7 pm, during which time 36% of the fatal accidents occur, according to Medstar.
Zavadksy said they’re are many things drivers and parents can do to avoid this unfortunate trend.
“We recommend drivers to pay attention, expect the unexpected and slow down. For parents, teach their kids about the dangers of the cars, make sure they only cross the cross walks, make sure they don’t run out to chase a frisbee or a ball or a pet,” he said.
Medstar also wants parents to be extra cautious when leaving for work because it does have to respond to calls involving parents accidentally backing over their kids in the driveway.
“If you’re going to head out or your leaving a parking space, walk around the car first…make sure there is no one playing hide and seek or looking for something under the car. So that way, when your starting to drive away you don’t run over something you hadn’t planned on,” he said.
Last year, Medstar responded to a total of 507 auto pedestrian crashes in Tarrant County.
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