And make sure your vehicle is ready, too!

Is it just me or do you see more kids out and about in Wonder Lake these days? It’s not a coincidence. It’s the result of an annual migration. About this time each year, children migrate from the classroom to the playground, and they don’t go back to school until about mid-August.

What does this mean for those of us who drive the streets of Wonder Lake? It means we need to add a level of caution to our driving, particularly in neighborhoods where little ones are more apt to play near the roads.

Of course, you want to watch out for children in the roads all year round. When school is in session, you have to watch for them coming and going between the bus and their homes.

Additional caution starts with awareness. Anticipate potential problems. For instance, if you see some kids playing ball in a yard near the road, consider what might happen if one of the kids misses a throw and the ball bounces into the street.

Children often fail to fully understand the potential harm from getting hit by a car. And, when that ball is bouncing, a child may charge into the street to catch it without taking the time to look for traffic.

Children on bicycles are another problem. You can’t count on them to maintain a steady course on the edge of the road. They may suddenly turn or swerve into your path.

Then you have kids on skateboards. Many children are extremely accomplished with their skateboards. But that doesn’t mean they won’t hit something in the street that will throw them off course (and into your path). And, to achieve that higher level of skill on a skateboard, a child has to start somewhere; they’re not born that way.

While a child learns how to use a skateboard, they’re not as steady as those who have skated for extended periods of time.

And what about pets. Imagine a child is walking the family dog on a leash. Maybe the pooch isn’t as well trained as other dogs. It sees another dog across the street. Or it sees a rabbit or squirrel. The dog charges and the kid is dragged along behind.

Attentiveness is the first line of defense for drivers trying to avoid hitting pedestrians, pedestrians of any age. But right up there with paying attention is the reliability of your vehicle. 

How are the brakes? Do you have good tires? Is the steering and alignment up to par? 

Making sure your vehicle will respond as intended will work with your higher degree of attention to help you avoid hitting the random child who winds up in the road in front of you, whether you’re in Wonder Lake or any other neighborhood.