If you truly hate to "sound like a cranky old man," or worse, sound like someone who has been asleep for years, it might be helpful for you to peruse the headlines of community newspapers across our vast country.
It has not been safe for children to walk anywhere without adult supervision for many years.
Cute story.
A boy in kindergarten was told on the first day to line up either with the 'walkers' or the 'riders'
He lined up with the walkers. Turns out his first name was 'Walker'! True story!
Kindergarten through second grade, 4-6 blocks, urban, '40s...all kids accompanied by parents.
The key word is urban.
5,6 and 7 year olds don't cross intresections alone if they have responsible parents.