FORT MYERS, Fla. - Drivers should always be aware of kids walking to school and waiting at bus stops, but today the foot traffic could be even greater than usual.  More than 250,000 kids across the country will be joining together to participate in International Walk to School Day Wednesday, October 3 to raise awareness about pedestrian safety.  Local groups are joining with kids in Southwest Florida to take part.

Safe Kids Lee/Collier Counties and members of Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition are helping local students participate in the annual event.  It is a chance to teach kids about walking safety and to encourage the creation of safe walking environments.

A recent report from Safe Kids shows that walking safety for children has improved overall since 1995, but road traffic injuries are still the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14.  According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 61 children are injured every day and more than 500 children are killed in road traffic accidents every year.