International Walk to School Day set for Oct. 8

Students and motorists should be extra vigilant about safety tomorrow as students celebrate International Walk to School Day 2014.

There are more than 380 events planned in Florida tomorrow, including more than 10 in Southwest Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation estimates 100,000 students throughout the state will participate, reports nbc-2.com.

Although it is International Walk to School Day, the event includes riding bicycles to school. The National Bike to School Day was on May 7 this year. Walking and biking are promoted both days as a way to raise awareness about the benefits or walking and biking as well as to promote safety.

Walk to School Day, organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness for the need for walkable communities.  In 2000, the event became international. Thousands of schools across America and in more than 40 countries worldwide celebrate walking to school every October.

According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School:

• In 1969, 89 percent of students in grades K through eight who lived within one mile of school usually walked or bicycled to school.
• In 2009, only 35 percent students in grades K through eight students who lived within a mile of school usually walked or bicycled to school even once a week.
• The percentage of students in grades K through 8 who live less than one mile from school has declined from 41 percent in 1969 to 31 percent in 2009.

You can download the Walk to School Initiatives brochure that discusses the benefits of walking to school, safety tips, information about creating safe routes to and from school, checklists, ideas and ways to get involved.

At Bernardo Injury Law, we have handled far too many cases involving pedestrians and bicyclists. We have seen how these tragedies can impact families. In celebration of International Walk to School Day, we hope motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will exercise caution. If we can help you, contact us at (239) 332-3000 or toll free at 888-428-8943, email us at gethelp@injuryinfo.org. You can learn more about pedestrian injuries on our website at injuryinfo.org.