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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Wally is ready to bike to school—and he’s putting safety first! 🚲🎒

Before heading out, remember to wear a properly fitted helmet, ride in the same direction as traffic, use hand signals before turning, and lock your bike at a designated bike rack when you arrive.

A few simple safety habits can help make the ride to school a safer one! 🪖🚲

#WatchForMeCT #BicyclistSafety #WinnieAndWally
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Wally is ready to bi

From safety guides and newsletters to helpful resources from state and national partners, there are plenty of tools to help families stay informed and safe. 📚🚸

Explore resources for parents, caregivers, and families: ow.ly/nnjj50ZHkGF

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #BicyclistSafety
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From safety guides a

On this 25th anniversary of September 11, we remember the lives lost and the countless people who came together to support one another in the aftermath.

Today, we’re reminded of the importance of looking out for one another, showing up for our neighbors and coming together as a community.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

#WatchForMeCT #NeverForget
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On this 25th anniver

🚸 Signs designed to communicate with drivers and pedestrians are all around us. Sometimes, if you listen closely, you can even hear them talk! 👀🔊

Listen along to this animated video to hear what this sign has to share. You might just see the signs around you a little differently after this! 🚶‍♀️🚗

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety
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Labor Day is a great time to slow down, spend time together, and talk about safety as a family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Whether you’re heading out for a walk, riding bikes, or enjoying one of Connecticut’s many outdoor spaces, take a few minutes to remind kids about the importance of staying alert, using crosswalks, watching for traffic, and making safe choices.

A simple safety conversation today can help keep everyone safe all year long. Have a happy and safe Labor Day! 🚶‍♀️🚲

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #BicyclistSafety #LaborDay
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Labor Day is a great

ATESDs: Where Does the Money Go?

💰 You may have heard about Automated Traffic Safety Enforcement Devices (ATESDs) being considered in your community. These devices are speed and red-light cameras designed to help address dangerous driving.
🤔 But what happens to the money collected from citations?
🚫💵 It’s not a cash grab.
⚖️ Under Connecticut state law, money collected from ATESD citations can only be used to:
🛠️ Cover the costs of the program
🛣️ Support projects that improve road safety

🔒 So, the money collected through the program is restricted to running the program and making roads safer.

#TrafficSafety #SafeStreets #ATESD #RoadSafety #WatchForMeCT
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ATESDs: Where Does t

Winnie and Wally know that school zone safety starts with you! 🎒🚸

School zones can be busy, so remember to watch for cars, buses, and bikes. Stay on sidewalks and designated paths, never dart between parked vehicles, and always cross where it’s safe and drivers can see you.

Let’s help Winnie and Wally keep school zones safe for everyone! 👀

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #WinnieAndWally
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Winnie and Wally kno

School's in! Drive smart! ... See MoreSee Less

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