The summer is beginning in Wisconsin. With the arrival of summer, there is also the arrival of warmer weather. With many children completing their school year virtually and summer vacation beginning soon, it is likely that there will be more children heading outdoors to play games and engage in outdoor activities. Because it is likely there will be more children outdoors in the coming months, it is of high importance that drivers are paying full attention to the roadways to help keep children who are playing on or near the roadways safe. A recent accident demonstrates the importance of being watchful for children on the roadways.

The accident occurred on Wednesday, May 20 near 53rd and Locust. The accident occurred when a vehicle struck a six-year-old pedestrian. The force of the collision caused the child to sustain non-life threatening injuries. Following the accident, the driver of the vehicle that struck the child fled the scene. The Milwaukee Police Department is asking for the public’s help to both locate and identify the vehicle and driver that were involved in the accident.

This accident demonstrates the importance of ensuring that drivers are paying full attention to the roadways while they are driving. Some behaviors that can increase the chances of being involved in an accident while driving include using the phone while driving, eating while driving and traveling at a speed above the speed limit or one unsafe for weather conditions. By ensuring that drivers engage in safe driving behaviors and pay full attention to the roadways, we can help to keep the roadways safer for everyone. By paying full attention to the roadways, it can increase the amount of time a driver has to react to something unexpected in the roadway. With the potential of more reaction time, there is a greater likelihood that an accident may be avoided.