Crossing Guard Program

To direct and supervise the movement of persons (as defined in the HTA) across a highway (the HTA term for any public road) by creating necessary gaps in vehicular traffic to provide safe passage at a designated school crossing locations.

• Crossing guards ensure the safe movement of children in our community.
• Crossing guards also balance traffic and pedestrian flow with a focus on children’s safety.
• Crossing guards exercise sound judgement and effective communications to crosswalk users regarding safe crossing practices.

A school crossing is a location supervised by a school crossing guard that has been recommended through a combination of a site inspection and a warrant evaluation process. These designated school crossings are identified by pavement markings and signage as described in the Ontario Traffic Manual Books 6 and 11.

Types of crossing facilities:

• Signalized intersections
• All-way stop controlled intersections
• Minor street stop-controlled intersections
• Intersection and midblock pedestrian signals
• pedestrian’s crossovers (intersection and midblock)
• Midblock locations
• and roundabouts

Legislative Authority: The Highway Traffic Act https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08 (HTA) sets out the rules of the road in Ontario, including the operation of school crossings and school crossing guards. As of Jan. 1, 2016, all vehicles and cyclists are required by the to stop and wait until children and crossing guards have cleared the entire roadway at school crossings before proceeding.

• Each child may submit one drawing.
• Submissions should be emailed to traffic@otc.org along with the child's first name, age, school, municipality, and contact information.

Size and Format:

• Drawings should be on an 8.5 x 11 inches paper.
• Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, or PDF.

Medium:

Children are encouraged to use any drawing medium of their choice.

Theme Representation:

Illustrate the theme "Celebrating Our School Crossing Guards" in a positive and appreciative manner.

Originality:

Entries must be the original work of the participant.

Inclusivity:

Encourage diversity and inclusion in the drawings, reflecting the different aspects of the community.

The winning drawings will be featured on the official 'thank you' cards for School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week and provided for distribution throughout Ontario.

The winners will be announced by April 14, 2025, on the School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week web page. Individual notifications will also be sent to the winner’s school.

By submitting an entry, parents/guardians consent to their child's artwork to be used on 'thank you' cards and for promotional purposes related to the School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week along with their first name and City or Town.

• Be patient, be alert and avoid all distractions. Using a cell phone while driving is against the law and carries heavy fines and driver penalties.
• Drive slowly through designated community school zones, residential area, or any area where children could be walking.
• Obey speed limits, no stopping & no parking signs, never stop driving or let kids out of the car in a no stopping zone.
• Don’t park near or on a crosswalk.
• Look both ways for pedestrians especially when turning.

Drivers are reminded to take caution in school zones, obey the speed limits, stop at markings of the crossings and be patient and ensure all pedestrians have excited the roadway before starting to drive.

• Wear bright clothes and\or reflective gear especially at night and in poor weather.
• Walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk away from the road, so you’re further away from traffic.
• No sidewalk, Walk facing oncoming traffic so you can see approaching vehicle’s and make eye contact with drivers.
• Cross only at marked crosswalks, signalized traffic stops or traffic lights.
• Don’t cut through parked cars. Avoid shortcuts through parking lots or around parked cars where it’s harder for drivers to see you.

• Review safety practices throughout the school year.
• Remind children to stop at the edge of the sidewalk before stepping onto the road and to look both ways.
• Advise children to listen to the crossing guard’s directions when approaching an intersection.
• Around school property, instruct children to never run or walk between parked cars.
• Be a role model for your children, practice road safety together.