Personal Injury Law

Cross Guards are Key Players in School Safety Programs

By Megan Roth

As highlighted in yesterday's post, when it comes to transportation safety, the administration of a school is generally responsible for making sure all vehicles and means of transportation are up-to-par when it comes to meeting national safety requirements.

However, there are additional measures not concerning buses that schools can take to ensure safe travel. First, schools should establish a safe routes to school program, which establishes safe, common paths for children who walk/bike to school.

In addition, the areas around school should be equipped with school crossing guards. Some schools employ adults for this purpose, while others offer training courses and equipment for select students to complete this task. Such guards serve multiple purposes: 1) they help children cross the street safely at busy intersection and 2) they keep drivers aware of pedestrians. These guards can also help make sure children walk (not run) on the sidewalk (or, when there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic on the far left side of the road).

Often times, a school's decision to implement a crossing-guard program is local; however, there are also a few federal guidelines (which vary from state-to-state, county-to-county). Regardless of who made the decision to employ such a program, it is incredibly important. In fact, school crossing guards have been referred to as a vital and integral part of our education system.

So vital, any states recognize National Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week. School's not yet implementing such a program need to hop on board - fast. There are online training guides to help with the implementation and training for such programs, and often times local governments collaborate in order to improve community safety standards.

Though there are costs involved (although many adults are willing to volunteer), the benefits of such programs greatly outweigh the expense. And when it comes to the safety of our children, any such cost is a worthwhile investment if you ask me.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on September 12, 2008 (boomark / email).