Adult School Crossing Guard Guidelines

Adult school crossing guards play an important role in the lives of children who walk or bicycle to school. They help children safely cross the street at key locations. They also remind drivers of the presence of pedestrians. The presence of adult crossing guards can lead to more parents feeling comfortable about their children walking or bicycling to school. While the primary role of an adult school crossing guard is to guide children safely across the street, children also remain responsible for their own safety. In this manner, a guard plays another key function — a role model helping children develop the skills necessary to cross streets safely at all times.

The design and implementation of an adult school crossing guard program is largely the decision of local communities. Some federal guidance exists and there are some state and local requirements pertaining to the operation of guard programs, but these vary across the country. Ideally, the development of an adult school crossing guard program involves a community partnership that includes the expertise of law enforcement agencies, traffic engineering or planning departments and school systems. Working together with parents, this community group identifies the locations where adult school crossing guards are needed and the appropriate number of guards for each location. The group establishes crossing procedures for a variety of traffic situations as well as hires, trains and equips the guards and secures long-term funding for the program.

For more information read the sections below.