An Unsignalized Crosswalk
At unsignalized crosswalks, it is the responsibility of the crossing guard to determine when children cross based on gaps in traffic flow. A guard who is assigned to an unsignalized crosswalk on an undivided street should:
- Stand near the curb or edge of the street, on the side from which children are approaching.
- Stop children a safe distance back from the curb or edge of the street, or behind a "stand-back" line (see bottom photo). Instruct children to cross only on the guard's signal.
- Teach children who approach a crossing on a bicycle, scooter, or skateboard to dismount and push the bicycle or scooter or carry the skateboard across the street as a pedestrian.
- A guard enters the street in the following sequence:
- Wait for a gap in traffic on the guard's side of the street.
- Face the closest oncoming traffic and make eye contact with the approaching drivers.
- Walk to the center of street with the STOP paddle held high. If not using a STOP paddle, walk to the center of the street with an arm raised toward traffic and parallel to the ground with the palm and fingers extended upward.
- Where there are more than two lanes, enter the street and alert the traffic one lane at a time.
- Face opposite approaching traffic and make eye contact with those drivers.
- Stand on the crosswalk line close to the center of the street and make sure that all traffic has stopped, including any turning vehicles.
- Face the intersection.
- Verbally instruct the children to cross and tell them to look left-right-left while crossing and proceed across the street within the marked crosswalk.
- Do not allow any cars to cross the crosswalk until all the students have crossed.
- Remain in the center of the street until the last child reaches the opposite side of the street.
- Walk to the curb or edge of the street with the STOP paddle and/or stop-arm held high the entire way. When back at the curb or edge of the street, lower hand(s) and allow traffic to flow again.
- Remain near the curb or edge of the street for the next group of children to assemble.