Winnie & Wally!

At Watch for Me CT, we believe the best way to keep our communities safe is by teaching safe habits early. Winnie’s role is to show grown-ups how important it is to lead by example, while her joey, Wally reminds us that little eyes are always watching and learning. Together, they help families talk about safety in a fun, memorable way.

PROTECTING KIDS

According to recommendations from both the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Center for Safe Routes to School children under 10 are not ready to cross the street alone and should not do so.

Young children often do not have the motor skills or cognitive abilities to safely navigate being near the road.

According to the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), with a couple very limited exceptions, children under the age of 10 should never be near the road by themselves. Due to age-appropriate developmental limitations, children under the age of 10 can struggle with scanning for traffic, judging vehicle speed/distance, anticipating driver behavior, and determining if it is safe to cross the road.

Using the front yard as a play area can be dangerous, especially for younger children, because of the proximity to traffic and the risk of driveway backovers. Play away from vehicles!

As children get a little older and their brains develop further, they gain the skills needed to safely navigate the road.

In addition to the developmental milestones, in late elementary and middle school, kids will have practiced safe behavior near the road with parents, responsible older siblings, or other trusted adults. This supervised practice teaches kids what they are supposed to do and models correct behavior for them to copy when they are by themselves.

Model Good Behavior – Children watch their parents and other adults (and older siblings) in their lives. Modelling safe behavior can help teach kids what they are supposed to do.

Supervise! – Consider your child’s age and maturity level before reducing supervision. While the 10-year-old number is a good benchmark, every kid is different and that’s ok!

Consider the Surroundings – For older children, the type of road factors into how much supervision your child needs. A quiet cul-de-sac is generally much safer than a busy state route.

Be Visible – Make sure that your child is wearing bright or reflective clothing, even during the day. Pedestrians are the smallest road users so it is important to do whatever you can to be as visible as possible.

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Don't have a New Year's resolution yet? Here's an idea: Talk with your child about pedestrian safety and model good behavior. A few minutes of conversation and consistent habits—like using crosswalks, putting phones away, and looking both ways—can make a lasting difference.

#WatchForMeCT #WinnieAndWally #PedestrianSafety
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Dont have a New Year

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More than 1,600 crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists happened on Connecticut roads in 2025. 🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️
Every number is a person—slow down, stay alert, and share the road.

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #crashdata
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More than 1,600 cras

Let’s start the year off right! Make a resolution to be a safer driver in 2026. That means keeping your eyes on the road for pedestrians and cyclists. Keep your phone on “do not disturb” when you are behind the wheel. A few simple measures can keep everyone safe.

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety
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Let’s start the ye

Winnie has taught Wally to always make eye contact with a driver and signal his intentions anytime he plans to cross the road. Little people are watching. Be a good example when it comes to pedestrian safety!

#WatchForMeCT #winnieandwally #PedestrianSafety
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Winnie has taught Wa

Before you power up an e-bike, make sure you know the rules of riding one in Connecticut! 🛑

➡️Wear a helmet that is rated for the speeds your e-bike can reach.
➡️Ensure your e-bike has the required lights and reflectors.
➡️Take additional steps to be visible, such as by wearing bright or reflective clothing or accessories.
➡️Obey all traffic rules, lights, and signals. Use hand signals to communicate your intentions to other vehicles.

#WatchForMeCT #EBikeSafety
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Before you power up

Even in the cold, pedestrians are still out and about. Drivers - stay alert at crosswalks and in pedestrian-heavy areas.

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #WinterDriving
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Even in the cold, pe

It’s no coincidence that pedestrian fatalities increase when the sun goes down. Follow Winnie and Wally’s lead and plan your walks for daylight hours whenever possible.

#WatchForMeCT #WinnieAndWally #PedestrianSafety
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It’s no coincidenc

Happy Holidays! Whether you're traveling near or far, remember to watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Share the road — and the holiday cheer! 🌲

#WatchForMeCT #HappyHolidays
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Happy Holidays! Whet