crossing guard 5 techniques

Iowa Adult School Crossing Guard Program

Module 5/Crossing Techniques

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MODULE 5 – Crossing Techniques

Module Goal

Participants will understand and utilize proper crossing techniques in their crossing guard duties.

Objective One

Recall the use of school crossing guard equipment and proper hand gestures and verbal commands.

Objective Two

Recall the importance of visibility and conspicuity.

Objective Three

Recall proper crossing procedures at different crosswalk types and under bad weather conditions.

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EQUIPMENT• Class II vest • A retro-reflective stop paddle • And/or fluorescent or retro-

reflective orange or yellow-green gloves.

• A whistle

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RETRO-REFLECTIVITY

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UNIFORM

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VISIBILITY AND CONSPICUITY

Visibility Perceptible by the eye or

obvious to the eye.

Conspicuity The state of being clear or

bright

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• Visibility and conspicuity contribute to safety of guard and students.

• Vest makes guards more conspicuous to motorists

• Reduces pedestrian / vehicle crashes

• Deter unlawful / unsafe acts by pedestrians and motorists

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VISIBILITY AND CONSPICUITYVisual Distractions and Obstructions

In-Vehicle DistractionsVisual Clutter Visual Barriers

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PROPER SEARCH PATTERN

Left Right Left Scan

Midblock Crosswalk

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Left Right Left Over the Shoulder

Intersection Crosswalk

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Continue to Scan while Crossing

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SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATIONS

• All communications must be uniform, crisp and clearly informative

• HAND signals / movements and whistle are to be used with motorists.

• VERBAL messages only are to be used with pedestrians.

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1. Students about to enter or in crosswalk (Stop and yield)

2. Stop paddle – with arm parallel to ground, raised perpendicular

3. Gloved hand – raised arm forward, parallel to the ground with palm and fingers extended toward traffic

4. If a driver disregards the STOP paddle, blow one long blast on the whistle to warn the driver while pointing and looking directly at the driver.


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Recommended STOP paddle technique


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Recommended hand signal technique


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COMMUNICATIONS WITH STUDENTS

Verbally remind students to

1. Stay at least one step behind “stay-back line”

2. Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT

3. Walk, don't run.

After guard is in roadway and it is safe to cross

Verbally tell students they can cross

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CROSSING PROCEDURES

• You do not direct traffic in the regulatory law enforcement sense.

• You choose adequate gaps in traffic or create adequate gaps in traffic to safely cross students

• Your presence serves as a cue that pedestrians are about to use the crosswalk, and drivers must stop.

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Safe Gap Assessment

Stopping distance = thinking distance +

braking distance

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Safe Gap Assessment

For most conditions you should pick a gap of at least

150 ft

CROSSING PROCEDURES

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Safe Gap Assessment

For most conditions you should pick a gap of at least

150 ft

CROSSING PROCEDURES

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UNSIGNALIZED CROSSING PROCEDURES

Stand on curb on the side of the street where students approach.

Keep students at least one step back from the curb or behind a “stand-back” line.

Ask a child on a bicycle, scooter, or skateboard to dismount.

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Wait for an a sufficient gap in traffic.

Make a final scan for traffic before entering the roadway.

Remind children to wait for your verbal direction before starting to cross.


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Raise and display the STOP paddle as you walk to the middle of the roadway.


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As you approach the middle of the roadway, check that the STOP paddle is clearly visible to that approach as well.


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Position in the middle of the street, just outside the crosswalk on the side closest to the approach with greater apparent risk of traffic conflict and face that approach, continuing to display the STOP paddle to both approaches.

Make a final check that traffic on both approaches has stopped.


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Turn your head toward the waiting children and, making eye contact, verbally direct them to search for traffic as described, and to proceed when the way is clear.


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As children cross behind you, do not allow any driver to cross the crosswalk until the last child of the released group has reached the opposite curb or roadway edge.


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Remain alert for traffic and continue to display the STOP paddle until you have left the roadway.


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Stand on curb on the side of the street where students approach.

Keep students at least one step back from the curb or behind a “stand-back” line.

Ask a child on a bicycle, scooter, or skateboard to dismount.

SIGNALIZED CROSSING PROCEDURES

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Wait for walk indication


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Enter crosswalk, stopping

near-side traffic


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Alert far-side traffic


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Take position


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Initiate crossing


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Maintain your position


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Return to the starting curb or roadway edge


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CROSSING PROCEDURESDo not cross children during protected left turn

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CROSSING PROCEDURES• Four or More Lanes• Two guards should be assigned.

Each handles one side of the street.

• Guard on side with children initiates

• Use applicable procedures for that side only

• Proceed to middle of traffic lanes

• Other guard simultaneously alerts and enters roadway

• Crosses children the rest of the way

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CROSSING PROCEDURES

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CROSSING PROCEDURESDo

Always review the proper search pattern before crossing

Always cross students when the light is green

Always use pedestrian signals if available

Always be clear and concise with your signals

Establish eye contact

See and Be Seen

Report dangerous vehicle violations

Report uncooperative students

Don't

Don't assume that cars will stop

Don't assume cars will remain stopped

Don't cross students if a vehicle is stopped in the crosswalk

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MANAGING BAD WEATHER

• Inclement weather tends to make people hurry and pay less attention• Roads become slippery and stopping distances are increased• Visibility may be reduced• Electrical storms are dangerous and may disrupt traffic signals

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In lower visibility - See and Be Seen

Ensure you have motorist's attention before crossing

Make eye contact

One long blast on whistle

Consider retro-reflective traffic cones or in-crosswalk panels


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Lightning

If in vicinity take shelter and advise children to do same

If a flashing red light – cross with caution / treat as multi-way stop

If traffic signal out – don't cross children/call 911

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In rain conditions

Increase gap distances due to slippery roads

Reduced motorist peripheral vision

Wear rain jacket for comfort with vest on outside

No umbrella

Kids will want to run to get out of the rain – make them walk

Increased parent pick-up traffic

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CONCLUSION

Use proper equipment to see and be seen Use a LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT scanning technique Pick a gap of at least 150 feet Use proper crossing procedures Keep students safe during bad weather

crossing guard 5 techniques

Business

proper crossing techniques

crossing guard duties

safety of guard

cross students

proper hand gestures

stop paddle asyou

sufficient gap

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