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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CTDOT is developing a new Statewide Active Transportation Plan to make it safer and easier to move across Connecticut.

This plan will serve as the guide for future improvements to sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use trails – where the type of transportation is YOU powered. 🏃🚴🧑‍🦽

Join us for a virtual public meeting to learn more and give your feedback:
📅📅 Tuesday, May 19 at 12PM
📅📅 Wednesday, May 20 at 6PM

Your input will help shape how Connecticut moves for years to come.

Register at: portal.ct.gov/dot/projects/active-transportation-plan
... See MoreSee Less

CTDOT is developing

Tomorrow, May 15, is Bike to Work Day — a great chance to choose a healthy, sustainable way to get where you need to go. As more cyclists take to Connecticut’s roads, drivers can help keep everyone safe by slowing down, staying alert, and giving riders plenty of space. Whether you’re biking or driving, we all play a role in making the commute safer. #WatchForMeCT #BicyclistSafety ... See MoreSee Less

Tomorrow, May 15, is

We had a great morning at Bike to Work Day in Hartford despite the rain! Big props to everyone who biked in and all the supporters who came out for them. Thank you to Bike Walk Connecticut for sponsoring the event! ... See MoreSee Less

We had a great morni

🪖 Helmet Reminder
Helmet laws vary depending on what you ride:
🚲 Bicycles, e-scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and other items that roll: Riders under 18 must wear a helmet
⚡ E-bikes: All riders must wear a helmet, regardless of age
🏍️ Motorcycles: Riders under 21 must wear a helmet
Even when it’s not required by law, wearing a helmet is one of the best ways to protect against serious head injuries. And remember—after a serious crash, replace your helmet, as the foam inside may be damaged even if it’s not visible.
#HelmetSafety #RideSmart #ProtectYourHead #WatchForMeCT
... See MoreSee Less

🪖 Helmet Reminder

CTDOT is developing a new Statewide Active Transportation Plan to make it safer and easier to move across Connecticut.

This plan will serve as the guide for future improvements to sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use trails – where the type of transportation is YOU powered. 🏃🚴🧑‍🦽

Join us for a virtual public meeting to learn more and give your feedback:
📅📅 Tuesday, May 19 at 12PM
📅📅 Wednesday, May 20 at 6PM

Your input will help shape how Connecticut moves for years to come.

Register at: portal.ct.gov/dot/projects/active-transportation-plan
... See MoreSee Less

CTDOT is developing

Wally wants to remind everyone that children under age 10 should never be near the roadway without an adult. Because young children are still developing the skills needed to judge speed, distance, and traffic patterns, they face a much higher risk near moving vehicles. Supervising children near roads, driveways, and crosswalks is one of the most important ways to keep them safe. #WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #winnieandwally ... See MoreSee Less

Wally wants to remin

This Mother’s Day, we’re recognizing the important role moms and caregivers play in teaching children lifelong roadway safety habits. From showing kids how to use crosswalks and look both ways to modeling safe behavior around traffic, these everyday lessons help build safer communities for everyone. Thank you to all the mothers helping raise the next generation of safe, confident road users. #WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety ... See MoreSee Less

This Mother’s Day,

May is Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, a time to focus on helping young people build safe habits around roads, crosswalks, sidewalks, and bike routes. Teaching children and teens how to stay alert, follow traffic signals, and make safe choices as pedestrians and cyclists can help prevent crashes before they happen. Together, families and communities can help create safer streets for the next generation.

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety
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May is Global Youth