Crossing Guard and School Zone Safety Reminders

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 28, 2009	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Crossing Guard and School Zone Safety Reminders

Montgomery County Police are reminding drivers and residents that most county schools are opening Monday, August 31. This requires extra vigilance to ensure the continued safety of our school children during this critical time of the year.

In an effort to maintain the safety of children who walk to school and help manage school-related traffic, the department has 178 crossing guards consisting of 171 women and 7 men who range in age from 25 to 85 years old and they cover approximately 122 elementary schools and 17 middle schools. Their primary responsibility is to facilitate the safe crossing of students to and from school each day in all weather conditions. Stationed at major intersections and crossing points near schools, these crossing guards are trained and certified in traffic and pedestrian safety. Each one wears a highly visible bright yellow reflective safety vest over the uniform of a white shirt and tan pants.

To supplement the crossing guards, there are approximately 6,000 school safety patrols in the county who help keep fellow students safe. These boys and girls are selected by teachers and principals and are assigned to work with adult crossing guards and on school buses. They can also be seen on the street corner assisting school children crossing intersections and setting a good example for pedestrian safety. Look for those boys and girls out there in the bright yellow belts.

To help reduce speeding in school zones, our Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit will deploy a fleet of mobile speed-camera vans rotating between schools from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This will be in addition to the 22 fixed speed-camera sites already in place in 15 school zones across the county.

Montgomery County Police remind drivers that it is very important to obey the posted speed limit and pay close attention to their surroundings at all times. Within a school zone, it is especially important to be alert, drive carefully, and follow the directions of the crossing guards.

Safety Tips for Parents, Motorists, and Children

• Expect delays near schools. Know your route, start early, and drive the posted speed limit.
  
  
• Motorists not involved in dropping off or picking up students should consider adjusting their route or schedule in order to avoid arrival and dismissal traffic in front of schools.
  
  
• Park only in lawful areas. Parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk is against the law and can obstruct visibility for both pedestrians and motorists.
  
  
• Unload school children onto the sidewalk or right side of the vehicle. Unloading school children into a traffic lane could put a child in harms way.
  
  
• Instruct children to remain alert and look left, right, then left again before crossing the street. All pedestrians should not use cell phones to talk or text, nor wear headphones when crossing.