| To keep your child safe while using a foot-powered | | | | 6. Avoids riding on the street, unless it has no traffic. |
| scooter*, teach your child these safety driving tips. | | | | Make sure your child moves quickly to the side of the |
| TIPS FOR FOOT-POWERED SCOOTER SAFETY | | | | road or to the sidewalk when a car approaches. |
| To keep your child safe while traveling, make sure | | | | 7. Is always aware of traffic behind him or her. |
| your child: | | | | 8. Travels on smooth, paved surfaces, such as |
| 1. Wears protective gear whenever riding the scooter: | | | | sidewalks, playgrounds, park paved paths; avoids |
| a helmet, thick clothing with padding at the elbows and | | | | rough, bumpy paths, paths with loose gravel, and paths |
| knees, protective eye gear, highly visible or light colored | | | | with wet/icy surfaces; and avoids steep slopes that |
| clothing, and closed footwear. | | | | might allow the child to lose control of the scooter. |
| 2. Knows how to operate the scooter, using the | | | | 9. Understands that pedestrians have the right of way |
| steering wheel and brake (if available). | | | | on the sidewalk. Teach your child pull to the side, away |
| 3. Has adequate balance to be able to push off and | | | | from the pedestrian, and even get off the scooter and |
| stay upright on the scooter while traveling. | | | | walk the scooter past the pedestrian, to avoid any |
| 4. Understands the importance and techniques of being | | | | possibility of danger to either person. |
| observant of his or her surroundings. This includes cars | | | | Initially, be sure to practice driving the scooter with your |
| in driveways, cars on the street, pedestrians, animals. | | | | child as many times as necessary until you are certain |
| 5. Understands general driving safety guidelines, such | | | | the child can handle the scooter with safety. Do |
| as to: | | | | several practice runs on your driveway or a the park. |
| - Drive on the sidewalks unless this practice is illegal in | | | | Make sure your child is mature enough to understand |
| your state (check with your DMV), | | | | the consequences of poor driving behavior. |
| - Practice safety at intersections: look both ways | | | | Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles of your |
| before crossing the street, walk the scooter across | | | | state or your country for the laws pertaining to driving |
| the street, observe traffic signs and signals, watch for | | | | safety and helmet laws. Make sure you are looking at |
| cars turning at the corners. | | | | laws for foot-powered scooters, not motorized ones. |
| - Obey basic traffic laws, such as stopping at a stop | | | | *The information in this article relates to foot-powered |
| sign or signal. | | | | scooters, not electric or motorized scooters, which are |
| - Stop and observe before crossing a driveway with a | | | | much more complicated both with safety practices |
| car in it, even if the car appears to be parked. | | | | and laws of the road. |