Anderson Injury Lawyers | February 26, 2025 | Child Safety
The decision to let your child walk to school alone is not an easy one. In some places, there are laws that guide parents on when it’s okay to do so. However, there are many things parents should consider before letting their young ones walk unsupervised. Mark Anderson, our personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, discusses these important considerations to help ensure your child’s safety.
What Does the Law Say About Children Walking Alone?
In the United States, there is no consensus on an age limit for children walking to school alone. Instead, different states and local jurisdictions set their own rules based on several safety concerns.
However, some states do have specific laws. In Illinois, leaving a child under 14 unsupervised for extended periods could be considered neglect, according to the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Alternatively, a state like Texas doesn’t have a minimum age law for kids walking alone, which gives parents more freedom to decide when their children are ready.
There’s a Maryland case where parents got in trouble for letting their 10 and six-year-old children walk home from a park alone. At the same time, some states like Utah and Oklahoma now have “free-range parenting” laws that protect parents’ rights to give their children reasonable independence.
Factors That Influence The Decision
Age is not the only consideration. Here are other important things to think about:
- How safe is the route to school?
- How far is it from home to school?
- How responsible and mature is your child?
- Will they be walking with brothers, sisters, or friends?
- What’s the weather like in your area?
Also, every child is different. A responsible eight-year-old in a quiet neighborhood with good sidewalks might be ready to walk alone. However, a 12-year-old who gets distracted easily might not be prepared, especially if they need to cross busy streets.
How To Treat Different Age Groups
Here are some general guidelines, but remember to adjust them based on your child and situation.
Under Seven
Most experts say children this young need an adult with them. They often act impulsively and don’t understand vehicle traffic dangers well enough.
Ages 7–9
These kids start developing better judgment, so you can start by walking with them before gradually giving them more freedom. Some might be ready for short, safe, familiar routes with pedestrian crossings.
Ages 10–12
Most kids this age can understand traffic rules and make good decisions. This is when many American children start walking to school on their own, as long as the route isn’t too complicated.
Ages 13+
Teenagers usually have the skills to walk to school alone, even on longer or more complex routes.
Being Guided By School Rules
Check with your child’s school to learn their policies on kids walking alone. Most schools enforce safety around this issue by setting rules on:
- The age when kids can walk to school alone
- Unaccompanied drop-off
- What happens during pick-up
In addition, some schools require a signed permission form for any child, no matter how old, to walk home alone.
Safety Tips For Walking To School Alone
Good preparation is important for safety, so here’s what to do before they start walking alone:
- Walk the route together several times so they know it well.
- Teach them traffic safety rules and ensure they understand.
- Set clear rules about strangers and what to do if approached.
- Consider giving them a phone for emergencies.
- Make backup plans for problems like bad weather or feeling scared.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers more safety tips for children walking alone.
When To Let Your Kids Walk To School Alone
Like most other parenting decisions, you cannot follow what other parents are doing when it comes to deciding the right time to let your kids walk to school alone. Even with certain states giving age restrictions, individual parents should consider their children’s circumstances, including their maturity level, critical thinking levels, and where they live.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 820, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
