What Age Can Kids Walk to School Alone in the United States?
Many parents struggle to decide when it is appropriate and safe for their children to walk to school alone. The answer is never easy. The line dividing independence and safety can be challenging to navigate. The first step for a parent is to understand the law about children walking alone to and from school in Texas.
What Is the Legal Age to Walk Home from School Alone in the USA?
There is no federal law that determines how old a child must be to walk to school alone. The Every Student Succeeds Act addresses traveling to and from school.
The law specifically states that it does not prohibit a child from traveling to and from school by car, bicycle, bus, or on foot with the parent’s permission. The law protects parents from criminal or civil charges for allowing their children to travel to and from school in a manner that is responsible and safe based on the parents’ belief the manner of travel is age-appropriate.
The law can preempt state or local laws. However, that is not a concern in Texas because there is no state law that specifies at what age a child can walk to and from school alone. Instead, Texas has passed laws protecting parents who allow their children to walk to school alone if they reasonably believe it is safe for their children to do so.
When Is It Safe to Allow My Child to Walk to School Alone in Fort Worth?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children can begin to apply the skills they need to safely navigate traffic on their own when they are ten years old.
Of course, parents need to assess whether their child is ready to walk to school alone based on more than their age. Children are different, and so are the environments in which they must travel to and from school. Therefore, it may or may not be safe for a ten-year-old to walk to school alone.
Factors parents should consider include, but are not limited to:
Their Child’s Maturity Level
Age is different from maturity. A child needs to be mature enough to understand the consequences of their choices and actions. For instance, does a child understand the risk of horseplay while walking next to traffic? Have they demonstrated the maturity to make sound decisions and follow traffic rules?
Another factor to consider is your child’s communication skills. Do they know how to react in an emergency? Have they memorized contact names and phone numbers they may need in an emergency?
The Safety of the Route to School
Some neighborhoods may not be as safe for children to walk alone as other neighborhoods. If a child must cross through areas with high crime rates, it may be unsafe for them to walk to school without adult supervision.
School Policies
School districts might have policies for releasing children from school. Check with your child’s school about policies that could impact your decision to allow your child to walk to school alone.
Distance
When evaluating the safety of your child’s route to school, consider the distance to and from school. Along with the distance, consider whether there are sidewalks and crosswalks to help your child navigate the route safely.
Peer Support and Influence
Walking to school with peers can be a benefit and a disadvantage. Children walking in groups may be safer. However, you should consider the children who will walk with your child. Do those children exhibit behavior problems or pose other risks to your child?
Tips to Help Your Child Walk Safely to and From School
If you determine it is safe for your child to walk to school alone, preparing them for this level of independence is essential. Things parents can do include:
- Walk the route with their child several times before allowing the child to walk alone. Planning a route that minimizes crossing streets and maximizes the use of sidewalks can help protect your child from pedestrian accidents.
- Establish non-negotiable rules, including when to leave home and walk directly to and from school without detours. Set firm consequences for deviating from the rules.
- Prepare your child for emergencies by purchasing them a cell phone to use for emergencies. Many apps can track children using cell phones and limit cell phone use.
- Teach traffic safety rules. Practice the rules until they become instinctive, such as looking both ways before crossing the road.
- Set rules for check-ins, such as texting you when they arrive at school or home.
A parent is the best judge of whether their child is ready to walk to school without supervision. If you have any doubts, it might be best to wait another year before granting this level of independence.
Get Help With Injury Claims on Behalf of a Child in Texas
If your child is injured because of another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, call Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers. Your child deserves to be compensated for the pain and suffering they experienced. They also deserve compensation for future damages an accident or injury may cause.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers in Texas for Help Today
If you need legal help, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 508-9204
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 969-3956
