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TUCSON - 'Safe Kids Tucson' will join local school children and FedEx volunteers tomorrow to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and celebrate International Walk to School Day.

More than 250,000 children across the United States and nearly three million around the world participate in the annual event to learn about pedestrian safety and to encourage the creation of safe walking environments. Last year, more than 50 Tucson area schools participated.

"On International Walk to School Day, parents and caregivers both teach and model safe pedestrian behavior," said Yomy Diaz, Safe Kids Tucson coordinator. "International Walk to School Day is the perfect opportunity for students to learn how to remain injury-free as they walk to and from school."

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14. In 2009, more than 13,000 children ages 14 and under went to the emergency room and 244 children died from pedestrian-related injuries.

International Walk to School Day was officially Wednesday, Oct. 3, but because of the fall break in several of Southern Arizona's largest school districts, many schools have decided to participate this Wednesday, Oct. 10.