BURRILLVILLE – It’s nearly the end of September and many classic car and truck shows are winding down at the end of this month for the cruising season.
Fortunately, there are still a handful of these area automotive events continuing into the month of October, weather permitting. I want to remind those of you that enjoy bringing your kids to these popular venues that it’s safer for children to stay at least three feet away from all vehicles showcasing and attending car shows and cruise nights. They must always be visible to drivers entering and exiting these events for their safety. Don’t let kids run near these vehicles, and make sure they never touch or lean on classic vehicles. Owners take great pride in caring for these types of cars and trucks and even the slightest scratch or small dent can ruin a beautiful piece of machinery built for these seasonal events.
Watch for children in parking lots if you are showcasing a ride, or are a spectator attending these events. Kids can come out of nowhere if not monitored by an adult. We only have about five weeks left in the car show and cruise night season, and do not want a young child injured by a moving vehicle anywhere.
Buckleupallofus also wants to remind kids to boost up and buckle up in backseats while riding anywhere in a classic car, truck or family vehicle. This week’s Sunday feature includes a Buckleupallofus safety coloring cartoon for kids to color in and be reminded about vehicle and traffic safety. If you haven’t been able to attend a classic car and truck show this season, please take a kid to a car show before the season comes to an end, and we are looking at these automotive events in our rearview mirrors until next year.
Jim Weicherding is a Burrillville resident, and the founder and creator of an award-winning traffic safety effort Seasons of Safety. Weicherding contributes kids’ coloring cartoons, which can be printed and used to help parents discuss safety issues with their children. He has a long list of police officers and firefighters in his family and has worked with law enforcement and firefighters in a creative public safety capacity for more than two decades.
