Watch for kids: More than 100 NC schools participate in National Walk Day

Drivers are asked to slow down and be aware that there may be more children walking to school.

In Raleigh, Hunter Elementary families plan to meet at Chavis Park to make the one-mile walk to school together. Parents are asked to look out for and report safety issues on the walk so they can be addressed by the community.

The event will also raise awareness about the need to improve road safety and pedestrian access to sidewalks and streets.

In the last month in Raleigh, two attempted abductions occurred while students were walking to and from school. Police are still investigating both incidents.

WRAL Traffic Cameras

More people are driving to work and school due to a local and nationwide shortage of school bus drivers, said Stephen Heiny with the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, adding, for people who hate sitting in traffic, "this is a chance to find a new way to get to school."