Crossing Guards: Be Seen, Be Safe.

Protect Yourself! Protect the Children!

“It was raining really hard and visibility wasn’t great, and I saw her step off the curb and I slammed on the brakes... I couldn’t stop, and it went right over her.”

News article quoting an SUV driver who struck and killed a crossing guard.

From 1993 to 2016, 16 NJ adult crossing guards were killed when struck by motor vehicles while at work. An additional 231 adult crossing guards suffered injuries serious enough to require full days away from work as a result of motor vehicle-related accidents.

New Jersey state law mandates that crossing guards receive training* and use required personal protective equipment.
*a minimum of two hours of classroom and 20 hours of supervised field training


Required Equipment
  • ANSI Type R Class 2 safety vest** -- ** Equivalent to Type 2 vest previously required by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) 
  • Retroreflective ‘STOP’ paddle
  • Distinctive crossing guard uniform with breast and hat badges with ID#
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Useful Equipment
  • Retroreflective gloves
  • Whistle
  • School crossing signs
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Don’t Forget!
  • Proceed cautiously into the crosswalk as you alert motorists to stop.
  • Don’t assume a vehicle will stop just because you’re holding a STOP sign.
  • Give vehicles more time to stop during wet and icy conditions.
  • Watch out for passing or turning vehicles.
  • Be aware that larger vehicles require longer distances to stop safely.
  • Hold up your STOP sign until you and the children have cleared the crosswalk.
  • Use hand signals for motorists and verbal signals for children.
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Resources

Training Resources including videos

Personal Protective Equipment

New Jersey Statutes

Fatality Investigation Reports

Injury Statistics Sources

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Last Reviewed: 12/14/2017