BELMONT, N.C. — Hundreds of Belmont parents and community leaders are pushing for safer walking routes to school for kids.

The Belmont Police Department joined them in holding a Walk to School Day on Friday to raise awareness about the need “for improved pedestrian infrastructure near schools.”

“[It] raises awareness among drivers that there are children who walk to school, and that we all need to be more aware of our surroundings and practice safe driving,” said Alison Carpenter, the mother of a child in primary school.

North Carolina saw 250 pedestrian deaths in 2023, per the state’s Department of Transportation. According to that NCDOT data, eight pedestrians were killed in Gaston County during 2024, two within a half-mile of a school.

Reaghan Murphy, the city of Belmont’s senior transportation planner, said one way to make it safer for pedestrians is to improve infrastructure.

“Adding sidewalks, repairing the sidewalks that we have, adding safer crosswalks and even protected crossings,” Murphy said.

Drivers could also improve safety by being more careful.

“I can’t emphasize enough that just slowing down a little bit and being aware of your surroundings while you’re driving can help save your life and anyone else around you,” Sgt. TJ Green of the Belmont Police Department said. 

Carpenter said she plans to walk with her daughter to school next year. While they walk, she said she plans to teach her daughter important skills along the way.

“Always crossing at an intersection or a designated crosswalk,” she said. “Waiting for the light. If there’s a traffic light, waiting for the light, waiting for the light to turn green and making eye contact with drivers.”