Web posted on September 08, 2004

Guelph - While Guelph students head back to the classroom today, eight adult school crossing guards start work at five high volume intersections across the city. Guelph's new adult crossing guard program is designed to complement the existing School Safety Patrol Program – one of Guelph's hallmarks since 1939 – and comes after a series of recommendations by the School Safety Patrol Review Committee last year.

Adult school crossing guards will be positioned at the following five high volume intersections: Paisley Road and Alma Street Imperial Road and Stephanie Drive Scottsdale Drive and Ironwood Road Paisley Road and Silvercreek Parkway and Willow Road and Westwood.

Adult school crossing guards have legal authority under the Highway Traffic Act (H.T.A.) to stop traffic in order to facilitate the safe crossing of children. Student volunteers who make up the School Safety Patrol on the other hand are not authorized to stop traffic but, rather, are in place to tell other students when it is safe to cross the street. Together, these two services will help provide a safer route for all children walking to school.

"The new crossing guard program will play a part in our goal to make this year accident free for children in school zones and at school crossings," says Joanne Starr, the City's Manager of Traffic Services.

As part of its ongoing commitment to school children's safety, the City's Traffic Services and Parking and Downtown Operations divisions are working with the Guelph Police Service to implement "Choose Safety over Convenience," a program designed to enforce parking bylaws in school zones and educate parents about the importance of obeying posted regulatory signs in school zones.

About the School Safety Patrol Program

The School Safety Patrol Program is funded by the City, administered by the Guelph Police Service and is sponsored by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). As part of the program, trained student volunteers are positioned at intersections throughout the city to advise children when it's safe to cross the road. The program has been a vital part of the community since 1939 and has an excellent safety record.

About the School Safety Patrol Review Committee

The School Safety Patrol Review Committee was established in 2002 and included representatives from the Upper Grand District School Board, the Wellington Catholic District School Board, the Guelph Police Services, the CAA and the City of Guelph. The committee made 11 recommendations to City Council in 2003 to enhance the effectiveness of the School Safety Patrol Program, including the establishment of an adult school crossing guard program to complement the existing patrol program.