The safest place to cross a street is at a corner or intersection the National Safety Council says. So here's a reminder to all pedestrians of all ages to follow that advice so we don't have another incident like that which unfolded Monday morning in St. Paul.

A 12-year-old boy was critically hurt around 8 a.m. when he was hit by a car in walking to school. He was not in a crosswalk when he was hit while crossing Rice Street near Hoyt Avenue. A police spokesman said one northbound vehicle had stopped to allow the boy to cross. A second vehicle following pulled into another northbound lane to pass the stopped car and then struck the boy in an area where the road narrows to a single northbound lane.

The boy was taken to Regions Hospital with severe head injuries, police said.

Unintentional pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14 according to data from safekids.org.

The National Safety Council reminds children who walk to school to go in groups if possible, Children 10 and younger should not cross the street without an adult present, the Council said.

Here are some other reminders for pedestrians from the Council:

  • Before stepping off the curb to cross the street, stop and look both ways to see if vehicular traffic is approaching
  • Only when it is safe to cross, look left and then right to double check that no vehicles are coming, and hold the adult's hand if applicable.
  • Walk, but don't run across the street. Walking gives drivers an opportunity to see the pedestrian before they enter the roadway. Running also increases the chance of a pedestrian falling in the street.
  • Don't dart out in front of a parked car. A pedestrian might see an approaching vehicle, but the driver might not see the pedestrian until it is too late.

Safekids.org reminds pedestrians to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them,

For drivers, it's imperative that they follow the speed limit and remember to stay alert when passing near schools and areas where kids often walk to class.