Christmas gifts spark safety concerns

CLOVIS — With the advent of children gleefully trying out bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller blades and similar items that may have been received as gifts comes a message imploring motorists and parents to be cautious.

“Young people on low-riding toys or quick-moving bicycles can be missed if drivers are not watchful,” AAA Texas/New Mexico Representative Doug Shupe said. “We remind drivers to be on the lookout for excited children on new riding toys and encourage parents to go over traffic safety tips before letting their kids enjoy their new gifts.”

According to the nonprofit child safety organization KidsAndCars.org, an average of 232 fatalities and 13,000 injuries occur every year due to “backover” collisions. The website said across the nation at least 50 children are backed over by vehicles each week — with more than 60 percent of backover incidents involving a truck, van or SUV. Additionally, KidsAndCars.org officials said 70 percent of such incidents involve a parent or close relative behind the wheel.

Shupe said extreme caution should be exercised everywhere, especially in residential areas.

“Kids can get excited and dart out from in between parked cars on the side of the street,” he said. “So it’s also important for drivers to be wary as they travel through neighborhoods. Parents should direct children to use sidewalks while not crossing in the middle of the street. Crosswalk use should be emphasized while children watch for vehicles.”

Clovis resident Eric Chambers said his two children are the recipients of new bicycles and received instructions on how to safely enjoy them.

“Me and my wife sat down with them and explained the safety tips,” he said. “And before they’re allowed to take the bikes out, they will have to demonstrate to us they understand what is expected of them. They know we’re not going to tolerate them riding around cars or trucks. They have to stay on the sidewalk, stop at driveways to make sure no vehicles are coming in and out and cross at crosswalks while also looking out for traffic. Crossing from between parked cars is also not allowed.”