| We would like to share an email that we received. Please read and use as a springboard for discussion with your children regarding outdoor safety. May Hashem protect all of our precious kinderlach. Dear Rabbi Muller, Mrs. Wainhaus and Staff of JDBY-YTT,
Last week I had a very close call just driving less than half a block. I stopped at the stop sign and was looking for other cars approaching the intersection. As I slowed a young boy (8-10 yrs old) on a motorized scooter with his younger sister (5-6) on it with him came quickly without pausing into the street and it was a question of a fraction of a second or two that there was no accident, BH. While he may have known the traffic coming down my direction had a stop sign, he did not look up to make eye contact or slow down as he approached. In other words, he assumed that any car would stop. But they appeared so suddenly and from the side that no one could have stopped to avoid them! I could have easily continued a few more feet and I am shaking thinking how differently this could have ended.
Meanwhile, I made my turn and continued to the next block. We now met at the corner. He did the SAME thing to cross in front of me quickly (but this time I could clearly see them and was aware that he might not stop) and AGAIN, he did not slow, but zoomed across the street without looking up or pausing. (Keep in mind a motorized scooter travels much faster than a regular bicycle!!)
This time, however, I pulled over and insisted that he come speak to me from the middle of the block. He came back and I begged him to please stop and look before crossing. I was very upset and while I did not raise my voice, I was clearly very worried. I explained to them that I could not see them at the first corner and that I could have easily hit them, CV. These are two precious children who are at risk for a serious accident. I have no idea who they are or which school they attend. And I believe strongly the entire Jewish community must address this pressing issue.
If parents are going to buy their children these scooters, they MUST discuss safety in detail and explain that drivers regularly make eye contact with everyone on the road, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Adults have to stress that a 4,000 pound (or larger) metal vehicle cannot stop moving in a split second the way a scooter can. They cannot take for granted that they are safe because technically they have the right of way. I am not an overly nervous, super protective person. This incident shook me badly. Had I been coming from further up the street I probably would have been going much faster and there was no way to see them before they were right on top of my car! This is exceedingly dangerous and totally unnecessary. I don't know where these kids were headed, but they could easily have been crossing Devon and I shudder to think about that scenario. This is similar to giving an 8 year old car keys without training! They ARE in the street, not only on the sidewalk!
I know people complain about this topic occasionally, but I feel this is pikuach nefesh. Better the children should walk an extra 15 minutes or stay home than be in an accident or worse, CV. Perhaps there needs to be some sort of official licensing or training for youngsters. I've been thinking about this incident all week, extremely grateful to Hashem that He spared all of us from a tragedy, but very concerned about the future. Part of our hishtadlus in parenting is to provide our children with safe activities and if there is some doubt regarding an activity's level of safety, that concern should be dealt with immediately and seriously. Our children are entrusted to us. There is nothing more critical or precious that demands our attention.
A Concerned Neighbor
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