Crossing Guard Training and equipment offered through a grant with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). Goal: Crossing Guards across the state to be better equipped to ensure children are safely entering and exiting school property each day.

Coordinated School Health Program Physical Education Health Education Health Services Nutrition Services Counseling, Psychological Services Healthy School Environment Health Promotion for Staff Family and Community Involvement

SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS ARE IMPORTANT 5 TO 15 YEARS OLD KILLED AND 15,000 INJURED IN PEDESTRIAN / MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES. NHTSA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS 2005

SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS ARE IMPORTANT “ SAFETY OF TRIPS TO AND FROM SCHOOL CAN BE ENHANCED BY SIDEWALKS AND PROPER SIGNALIZATION, BUT ALSO BY WELL-TRAINED ADULT CROSSING GUARDS AND SELECTIVE POLICE ENFORCEMENT. CERTAIN WARNING SIGNS (E.G., FLASHING SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT SIGNS) AND MARKINGS (E.G., SCHOOL CROSSWALKS) ARE ALSO APPROPRIATE AND BENEFICIAL TO PEDESTRIANS IN MANY SCHOOL ZONES”. A REVIEW OF PEDESTRIAN SAFETY RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD / U.S. DOT, JAN 2004

NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH STATISTICS > 75%

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS PHYSICAL MENTAL CHARACTOR

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS SIGHT HEARING MOBILITY

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE MENTALLY ALERT GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS GOOD MORAL CHARACTER DEPENDABLE PASS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

OPTIONAL ATTRIBUTES PRIOR CROSSING GUARD EXPERIENCE SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFICATION

CHILDREN IN TRAFFIC – WHY ARE THEY DIFFERENT? THEY HAVE A LOWER EYE LEVEL – BLOCKED VIEW THEIR FIELD OF VISION IS ONLY TWO-THIRDS OF AN ADULTS THEY DO NOT JUDGE SPEED AND DISTANCE WELL

CHILDREN IN TRAFFIC – WHY ARE THEY DIFFERENT? IF I CAN SEE IT THEN IT CAN SEE ME THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF SOUNDS THEY LACK TRAFFIC EXPERIENCE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THEY TEND TO CONCENTRATE ON ONLY ONE THING AT A TIME

CHILDREN IN TRAFFIC – WHY ARE THEY DIFFERENT? ONCE THEY ARE MOVING IT IS HARD TO STOP THE MOTION THEY OVERESTIMATE THEIR ABILITY

POLICY REGARDING A CROSSING GUARD’S INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN NO PHYSICAL TOUCHING NO STUDENTS TO BE PUT IN CROSSING GUARD’S VEHICLE NO GIFTS FROM GUARD TO STUDENTS (TREATS, ETC.)

Taking Safe Routes Lessons to the Classroom Safe Routes to School Lesson Plans on the HEALTH-IN-ACTION website

TAKE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CROSSWALK TO EDUCATE CHILDREN SAFE CROSSING PROCEDURES PROPER SEARCH PATTERNS LOOK LEFT – RIGHT – LEFT CROSS ONLY AT CROSSWALKS DANGERS OF JAYWALKING

TAKE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CROSSWALK TO EDUCATE CHILDREN WATCH FOR TURNING VEHICLES WATCH FOR TRAFFIC IN EACH LANE OF CROSSWALK WHEN IS IT OK TO BEGIN TO CROSS AT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION?

SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATION SIGNALS MUST BE UNIFORM, CRISP AND CLEARLY INFORMATIVE HAND SIGNALS VERBAL MESSAGES WHISTLE

WORKING WITH SCHOOLS CROSSING GUARDS SHOULD LEAVE THEIR PERTINENT INFORMATION WITH THE SCHOOL (ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, ETC.) RECEIVE REGULAR SCHOOL CALENDAR INFORMATION KNOW SCHOOL POLICY REGARDING REPORTING OF INCIDENTS

INCLEMENT WEATHER TENDS TO MAKE PEOPLE HURRY AND PAY LESS ATTENTION ROADS BECOME SLIPPERY AND STOPPING DISTANCES ARE INCREASED VISIBILITY MAY BE REDUCED

INCLEMENT WEATHER LOWER VISIBILITY – SEE AND BE SEEN ENSURE YOU HAVE MOTORIST’S ATTENTION BEFORE CROSSING MAKE EYE CONTACT ONE LONG BLAST ON WHISTLE CONSIDER RETROREFLECTIVE TRAFFIC CONES OR IN-CROSSWALK PANELS

INCLEMENT WEATHER IN RAIN CONDITIONS INCREASE GAP DISTANCES DUE TO SLIPPERY ROADS REDUCED MOTORIST PERIPHERAL VISION WEAR RAIN JACKET FOR COMFORT WITH VEST ON OUTSIDE

INCLEMENT WEATHER IN RAIN CONDITIONS NO UMBRELLA KIDS WILL WANT TO RUN TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN – MAKE THEM WALK INCREASED PARENT PICK-UP TRAFFIC

INCLEMENT WEATHER LIGHTNING IF IN VICINITY, TAKE SHELTER AND ADVISE CHILDREN TO DO THE SAME IF A FLASHING RED LIGHT – CROSS WITH CAUTION / TREAT AS A MULTI-WAY STOP IF TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS OUT – DO NOT CROSS CHILDREN / CALL 911

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS HOW TO OBTAIN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE GUARD IS TO REMAIN AT THEIR POST CELL PHONES CPR TRAINING

CROSSING GUARDS ARE VISUAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITY ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO FOLLOW PATTERNS OF SAFE CROSSING SET PROPER EXAMPLE

CROSSING GUARDS ARE VISUAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITY SPECIFICATIONS FOR VEST AND EQUIPMENT REGULATED BY MUTCD UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON OTHER THAN CROSSING GUARD TO WEAR UNIFORM

CROSSING GUARDS ARE VISUAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITY CROSSING GUARDS DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO DIRECT TRAFFIC PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR CONDUCT MUST BE REASONABLE AND PRUDENT KNOW AND FOLLOW ALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES KNOW THE SCOPE OF THEIR AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

CROSSING GUARDS ARE VISUAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITY BE AWARE OF SCHOOL SCHEDULE AND ANY DEVIATION FROM THE NORM INSPECT AREA NOTICE CONDITION AT CROSSING SITE

CROSSING GUARDS ARE VISUAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITY CROSSING GUARD UNIFORMS THE UNIFORM SHOULD BE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE WORN BY REGULAR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SPECIFICATIONS FOR VEST AND EQUIPMENT REGULATED BY MUTCD UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON OTHER THAN CROSSING GUARD TO WEAR UNIFORM

CROSSING GUARDS ARE VISUAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITY DETER ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE STUDENT BEHAVIOR LIMITED ABILITY TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH CONSEQUENCES IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH SCHOOL FOR FOLLOW- THROUGH DON’T TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY STUDENT ADULT… 911 IF NECESSARY

CROSSING GUARDS ARE VISUAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITY BE TRAINED AND WILLING TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO ANY EMERGENCIES CPR AND FIRST AID KNOW HOW TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE NEVER LEAVE CROSSING SEND SOMEONE TO REPORT INCIDENT IF NECESSARY

CROSSING GUARDS DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DIRECT TRAFFIC CLEAR DIRECTION TO MOTORISTS USE OF STOP PADDLE USE OF HAND SIGNALS USE OF VOICE COMMANDS USE OF WHISTLE

WHAT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT? UNSAFE OR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR BY MOTORISTS CAR GOING THROUGH CROSSWALK REPEAT OFFENDERS OTHER MOVING VIOLATIONS SPEEDING MUST BE VERIFIED BY RADAR OR TRAFFIC OFFICER

WHAT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT? NECESSARY INFORMATION LICENSE PLATE DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE DATE, TIME AND LOCATION ABILITY TO IDENTIFY DRIVER

SHOULD YOU HANDLE SITUATIONS ON YOUR OWN? MOTORISTS PARKED IN RESTRICTED AREAS UNWILLING OR VERBALLY ABUSIVE MOTORISTS

TYPES OF INTERSECTION AND PROCEDURE FOR CROSSING EACH TYPE UNSIGNALIZED SIGNALIZED

TYPES OF INTERSECTION AND PROCEDURE FOR CROSSING EACH TYPE UNSIGNALIZED CROSSWALK

CURBSIDE ASSEMBLY STAND ON CURB OR BEHIND EDGE OF ROADWAY ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET WHERE STUDENTS APPROACH. STUDENTS AT LEAST ONE STEP BACK FROM THE CURB OR ROADWAY EDGE. IF A YELLOW “STAND- BACK” LINE IS MARKED OR TAPED ON SIDEWALK, IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST 3 FEET BEHIND THE CURB. 1

ASK A CHILD WHO ARRIVES ON A BICYCLE, SCOOTER, OR SKATEBOARD TO DISMOUNT AND WALK THE BICYCLE OR SCOOTER OR CARRY THE SKATEBOARD WHEN CROSSING. CURBSIDE ASSEMBLY cont. 1

AS CHILDREN COLLECT, WAIT FOR AN OPPORTUNE TIME TO CREATE A SUFFICIENT GAP IN TRAFFIC. MAKE A FINAL SCAN FOR TRAFFIC BEFORE ENTERING THE ROADWAY. REMIND CHILDREN TO WAIT FOR YOUR VERBAL DIRECTION BEFORE STARTING TO CROSS. SELECT AN OPPORTUNE TIME 2

ENTER CROSSWALK, STOPPING NEAR-SIDE TRAFFIC RAISE AND DISPLAY THE STOP PADDLE AS YOU WALK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. (IF USING GLOVES AND NOT USING A STOP PADDLE, MAKE THE HAND SIGNAL TO TRAFFIC ON THE NEAR- SIDE APPROACH WITH THE LEFT ARM, CONTINUING TO HOLD YOUR UPRAISED PALM TO THAT APPROACH AS YOU WALK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY.) 3

STOP FAR-SIDE TRAFFIC AS YOU APPROACH THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY, CHECK THAT THE STOP PADDLE IS CLEARLY VISIBLE TO THAT APPROACH AS WELL. (IF USING GLOVES AND NOT A STOP PADDLE, MAKE THE HAND SIGNAL WITH YOUR RIGHT ARM TO TRAFFIC ON THE FAR- SIDE APPROACH.) 4

TAKE POSITION POSITION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, JUST OUTSIDE THE CROSSWALK ON THE SIDE CLOSEST TO THE APPROACH WITH GREATER APPARENT RISK OF TRAFFIC CONFLICT FACE THAT APPROACH, CONTINUING TO DISPLAY THE STOP PADDLE TO BOTH APPROACHES. MAKE A FINAL CHECK THAT TRAFFIC ON BOTH APPROACHES HAS STOPPED 5

INITIATE CROSSING TURN YOUR HEAD TOWARD THE WAITING CHILDREN AND, MAKING EYE CONTACT. VERBALLY DIRECT THEM TO SEARCH FOR TRAFFIC AS DESCRIBED (left, right, left) PROCEED WHEN THE WAY IS CLEAR. 6

MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION AS CHILDREN CROSS BEHIND YOU, DO NOT ALLOW ANY DRIVER TO CROSS THE CROSSWALK UNTIL THE LAST CHILD OF THE RELEASED GROUP HAS REACHED THE OPPOSITE CURB OR ROADWAY EDGE. 7

RETURN TO THE STARTING CURB OR ROADWAY EDGE REMAIN ALERT FOR TRAFFIC AND CONTINUE TO DISPLAY THE STOP PADDLE UNTIL YOU HAVE LEFT THE ROADWAY. 8

PRACTICE UNSIGNALIZED CROSSING PROCEDURES Work with your instructors to practice the steps for properly crossing children until everyone can complete the procedures.

TYPES OF INTERSECTION AND PROCEDURE FOR CROSSING EACH TYPE SIGNALIZED CROSSWALK

CURBSIDE ASSEMBLY STAND ON CURB OR BEHIND EDGE OF ROADWAY ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET WHERE STUDENTS APPROACH. KEEP STUDENTS AT LEAST ONE STEP BACK FROM THE CURB OR ROADWAY EDGE. IF A YELLOW “STAND-BACK” LINE IS MARKED OR TAPED ON SIDEWALK, IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST 3 FEET BEHIND THE CURB. 1

CURBSIDE ASSEMBLY CONT. INSTRUCT ANY STUDENT WHO ARRIVES ON A BICYCLE, SCOOTER, OR SKATEBOARD TO DISMOUNT AND WALK THE BICYCLE OR SCOOTER OR CARRY THE SKATEBOARD WHEN CROSSING. 1

WAIT FOR WALK INDICATION AS CHILDREN COLLECT, PRESS PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON, IF NEEDED TO ACTUATE A PHASE FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. oREMIND CHILDREN TO WAIT FOR YOUR SIGNAL BEFORE STARTING TO CROSS. oWHEN A NEW WALKING PERSON SYMBOL (OR “WALK” MESSAGE) IS DISPLAYED (OR WHEN THE APPROPRIATE GREEN IS ILLUMINATED IF THERE IS NO PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL), MAKE A FINAL SCAN FOR TRAFFIC. 2

ENTER CROSSWALK, STOPPING NEAR-SIDE TRAFFIC RAISE AND DISPLAY THE STOP PADDLE AS YOU WALK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. 3

ALERT FAR-SIDE TRAFFIC WALK TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, ALERTING TRAFFIC ON ALL APPROACHES (INCLUDING THOSE THAT MIGHT MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS ONTO THE CROSSWALK) BY HOLDING STOP PADDLE HIGH. 4

TAKE POSITION POSITION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, JUST OUTSIDETHE CROSSWALK ON THE SIDE CLOSEST TO THE INTERSECTION AND FACE TRAFFIC ON THAT SIDE, CONTINUING TO DISPLAY THE STOP PADDLE TO BOTH APPROACHES. MAKE A FINAL CHECK THAT TRAFFIC ON BOTH APPROACHES HAS STOPPED. 5

INITIATE CROSSING TURN YOUR HEAD TOWARD THE WAITING CHILDREN AND, MAKING EYE CONTACT, VERBALLY DIRECT THEM TO SEARCH FOR TRAFFIC, AND TO PROCEED WHEN THE WAY IS CLEAR. 6

MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION AS CHILDREN CROSS BEHIND YOU, DO NOT ALLOW ANY DRIVER TO CROSS THE CROSSWALK UNTIL THE LAST CHILD OF THE RELEASED GROUP HAS REACHED THE OPPOSITE CURB OR ROADWAY EDGE. 7

RETURN TO THE STARTING CURB OR ROADWAY EDGE REMAIN ALERT FOR TRAFFIC AND CONTINUE TO DISPLAY THE STOP PADDLE UNTIL YOU HAVE LEFT THE ROADWAY. 8

Training Expectations Return to your district and train your Crossing guards by October 30 th. Return Crossing Guard Training and Enrollment Form (in the Appendix of your notebook) to Bonnie Andrews – Administrator of Project. It will be your responsibility to distribute kits when training is completed in your district.

Review for Certification Test Your Questions??? Review Information from training and manual Take Test