University Hospital Champions Pedestrian Safety
As children head back to school, University Hospital is reminding families about pedestrian safety and steps that can help prevent serious injuries.
At University Hospital’s Pediatric Trauma Center, being struck by a motor vehicle continues to be the number one mechanism of injury among pediatric patients treated at the center, making pedestrian safety a major focus of the hospital’s injury prevention efforts.
In 2025 alone, University Hospital treated 88 pediatric patients age 16 and younger for pedestrian-related injuries. Of those patients, 25 required hospital admission, including care in the Operating Room and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
“These injuries are something we see firsthand,” said Joanelle Bailey, MD, MPH, FACS, Pediatric Trauma Medical Director at The Pediatric Trauma Center at University Hospital. “Being hit by a car is still the number one reason children come to our Pediatric Trauma Center with serious injuries. We see firsthand how much these crashes can change a child’s life and affect an entire family. With kids heading back to school, we want to remind everyone to slow down, pay attention, and look out for children walking, biking, or riding to school. A few extra seconds of caution can prevent a serious injury.”
For University Hospital, injury prevention extends beyond treating injuries after they occur. Through its Injury Prevention and Outreach Program, the hospital brings education, resources and safety information directly into the community.
Jonathan Augustin, MPH, University Hospital’s Injury Prevention & Outreach Coordinator, engages children, families and community members with education and resources focused on injury prevention and emergency response.
At a recent Back-to-School Skating Event at the Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center in Newark, Augustin provided helmet-safety education and properly fitted and distributed helmets to 90 young people.
The program has also provided Stop the Bleed education and injury-prevention resources at community events including the Catholic Parish of the Transfiguration, Iglesia Cristiana Emanuel, the 4th Precinct Back-to-School Kickoff and the Irvington Community Fair. Community members learned to recognize life-threatening bleeding and respond while waiting for professional medical assistance.
Pedestrian safety is particularly important for children, who may have difficulty recognizing the speed and distance of an approaching vehicle. Parents and caregivers can help by accompanying younger children, modeling safe behavior and reinforcing pedestrian safety habits from an early age.
Families are encouraged to stay alert near traffic. Children and adults should use crosswalks, wait on the sidewalk or curb until it is safe to cross, and look both ways before entering the street. Pedestrians should never assume a driver sees them or will stop. Put away cell phones and avoid wearing headphones when crossing so you can remain aware of traffic and your surroundings. Whenever possible, walk in well-lit areas and avoid walking in the street, especially at night.
For younger children, safe street-crossing habits take time to develop. Adults can make stopping, looking, and paying attention part of everyday routines. Pedestrian safety, however, is not only the responsibility of those walking. Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and the entire community all have a role in creating safer streets.
University Hospital will continue bringing injury prevention education and resources into the community, helping families recognize and prevent injury risks. UH will also participate in National Walk & Roll to School Day on October 7 at Kelly Elementary School in West Orange, providing another opportunity to promote pedestrian safety and engage students and families.
