Information Bulletin - Street Hockey

January 31, 2008

Make safety a street hockey goal

Edmonton… Winter weather creates the perfect conditions for street hockey. Since many kids face-off in front of their homes, motorists driving in residential areas must be alert for these young hockey players who don’t have the experience to appreciate the potential danger of traffic. Drivers should slow down, scan the streets and allow more time for kids to react to traffic.

Traffic safety experts recommend that adults supervise kids, particularly small children who can't see or be seen over bushes or parked cars. Kids tend to focus on one task at a time and ignore other things happening around them. For example, they chase the puck or ball onto the road and may not think to look for approaching traffic.

Motorists and parents need to recognize that not only are children easily distracted, they also:

• have difficulty judging the speed and distance of cars properly so they can't judge a safe gap in the traffic;
• don't notice things out of the corners of their eyes as adults do;
• may have problems determining direction of traffic sounds because their hearing is not as developed as adults; and,
• may know when the road is clear and safe to cross but a sudden change in traffic conditions can confuse them.

Consider alternative locations for street hockey
Parents and kids should consider alternative locations for hockey games that provide a flat surface and safe environment away from traffic such as:

Improving traffic safety is part of Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to secure Alberta’s future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity.

For more information about traffic safety, contact the Office of Traffic Safety at 780-422-8839 or visit http://www.saferoads.com/.

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