Data from the Mean Streets 1998:  Kids at Risk Report suggests that "per-mile basis, walking is more dangerous than driving, flying, or riding a bus or train".  Furthermore, National SAFE Kids Campagin points out that children are at the greatest risk, due to their impulsive nature and inability to correctly gauge speed, spactial relations, distance and velocity.  In addittion, children between the ages of 5-9 seem to be at the greatest risk, comprising nearly one-third of children, pedestrian deaths.  Perhaps most shocking of all, due to their small size, toddler's are most likely to be injured in their own driveway by their own parents backing up!

    This week in Hawaii, the statistics became all too real when a 10 year-old boy was killed when was struck by a car as he crossed a busy street to get to school.  To add to the tragedy, the 18 year-old boy who was driving the car, lost his older brother, when he was hit by a car on that same streach of road.  Is this a case of a dangerous streach of road?  Was the driver speeding excessively?  Was the driver of the car simply inexperienced, too young, impulsive?  Should the child not have crossed the street in the first place?  All of these issues will no doubt be addressed in the comming weeks.  However, in the meantime, what can one do keep themselves and their loved ones safe?