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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🚧 You may notice some four-lane roads being converted into three lanes. This change is called a Road Diet — and it’s designed to make streets safer for everyone.
Here’s how it works:
➡️ One travel lane in each direction
➡️ A center left-turn lane that gives drivers dedicated space to turn without blocking traffic
Why it matters:
✔️ Shortens crossing distances for pedestrians
✔️ Makes left turns safer
✔️ Improves overall roadway safety
According to the FHWA, converting a road from four lanes to three can reduce crashes by up to 47%. Safer design = safer streets for all.

#WatchForMeCT #RoadDiets
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🚧 You may notice

Slow down and move over a lane if you can when there are vehicles stopped on the side of the road or highway ahead. Lives depend on it.Today, the entire MaineDOT family is heartbroken. Yesterday, we lost two dedicated public servants: James Brown and Dwayne Campbell from our Fairfield Crew. When they left for work, no one could have known they wouldn’t return. Our entire team mourns today from this unspeakable loss and we share our sympathies with their families, friends, and loved ones. Two other MaineDOT workers were injured but are recovering today.

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild and recover from this tragic incident. Every day, road workers put their trust in your hands. They step out of their vehicles trusting that drivers are paying attention, distraction free, and focused on driving safely. No matter what comes out of this ongoing investigation, we hope you will see our flashing lights on the side of the road as a reminder: move over a lane if possible; if not, slow down. There are lives at stake.

We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the Maine State Police, Waterville Police Department, Waterville Fire Department, Waterville Public Works, Delta Ambulance, and Dostie’s Towing. For those of you who are continuing to reach out to your friends and family members at MaineDOT, we thank you for your kindness. It means a lot. 💔
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Slow down and move o

This National Passenger Safety Week we are encouraging vehicle passengers to speak up! Say something if you are in a car and you don't feel safe. Some reasons to feel unsafe include a driver that is:
🚗Texting/using their cell phone when driving
🚗Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
🚗Driving too fast
🚗Tailgating
🚗Is driving while tired

Passengers can make a difference!

#WatchForMeCT #NationalPassengerSafetyWeek #PassengerSafety
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This National Passen

Photos from State of Connecticut DMV's post ... See MoreSee Less

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Congratulations Anna on becoming a Road Safety Champion!! 🥇🥇🥇On Thursday, November 20, 2025, we honored 270 graduates from across the entire state of Connecticut. The T2 Center hosted this annual event at the University of Connecticut's Storrs campus. Congratulations to all of the graduates, thank you to the agencies that support them, and to the T2 staff for their hard work all year round!

Read more about this event by visiting the T2 Center's website.
www.cti.uconn.edu/cti/T2Center_Home.asp
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Congratulations Anna

Public Service Announcement: If you run into car trouble on the highway, resist the urge to get out of your vehicle! The safest place for you is inside your car. Call for help and sit tight!

#WatchForMeCT #stayinyourcar
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❄️🚗 Winter weather is here — stay safe on the roads!
Before heading out:
✔️ Check the forecast for ice and slippery conditions
✔️ Clear ALL snow from your vehicle — not just the windshield
✔️ Give yourself extra travel time so you can drive safely for the conditions
Remember: icy roads make it harder to stop for pedestrians and hazards. Slow down, stay alert, and drive cautiously this winter.
#WatchForMeCT #winterweather
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❄️🚗 Winter we

All e-bike riders in Connecticut, regardless of age, must wear a helmet. Because e-bikes travel at faster speeds than traditional bikes, and because they are heavier, we recommend investing in a higher quality helmet. Look for NTA-8776 certified helmets – they offer enhanced protection against higher impact speeds.
#WatchForMeCT #EBikeSafety #helmets
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All e-bike riders in

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