I need to make a complaint about a crossing guard

[BabyTigger99]

There is an elementary school about 4 blocks from where I work. It has been the same crossing guard for the last few years at a busy intersection that has stop lights. I would notice that a few times, as I was in the turning lane, that when I would get the arrow to turn, he would still lead the kids across the street (when they clearly had a Don't Walk sign). I have just learned to take a pause to see when he would have the kids cross. A mild annoyance. This morning, there was a car in front of me at the intersection, got the arrown and turned. Came within feet of hitting two kids that the crossing guard was leading across the street. And the crossing guard starting yelling at the person in the car in front of me. This is enough. I have to call the police department (they are in charge of the crossing guards) to complain about this guy. Someone is going to end up getting hurt.

 

[Nancy]

I believe the crossing guard has the right of way no matter if there is an arrow or not. They all do that around here.

The crossing guard at the middle school my daughter goes to will stop all traffic for 1 child even if she just stopped it 2 seconds ago for other kids. Most mornings and afternoons one car at a time will get through before she stops everyone again.

 

[BabyTigger99]

But shouldn't he be following the traffic light? The walk sign comes on when the light is green, but on the arrow, it is don't walk. I would think he would still need to follow the signs.

 

[lillygator]

I would check what the rules are...I think no matter the light they have the right of way....

 

[Disney Doll]

Check with your local PD, but I believe that a crossing guard, supercedes all traffic lights etc.

It's just like if you have a police officer on a corner during construction and they direct you to go or stop against what the traffic light says to do. You have to obey the police officer's signals, not the traffic lights.

 

[caitycaity]

I believe the crossing guard has the right of way no matter if there is an arrow or not. They all do that around here.

The crossing guard at the middle school my daughter goes to will stop all traffic for 1 child even if she just stopped it 2 seconds ago for other kids. Most mornings and afternoons one car at a time will get through before she stops everyone again.

that is how it is here too.

i pass two different schools with crossing guards on my way to work and if i get the timing wrong it takes forever.

 

[Nancy]

From what I've seen in my area the crossing guards have the right of way over any light, but that might be a call for you to make, find out just what the rules are...that way if the guard is not following the rules you can then let those in charge know.

 

[cardaway]

I believe the responses are correct, that the guard has the right of way but... they really should the guards something that would change the light. It's not only about who has the right of way, it's about making sure the accident doesn't happen.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Check with your local PD, but I believe that a crossing guard, supercedes all traffic lights etc.

It's just like if you have a police officer on a corner during construction and they direct you to go or stop against what the traffic light says to do. You have to obey the police officer's signals, not the traffic lights.

I know this is OT, but could you please increase your font?

 

[Patty3]

Check with your local PD, but I believe that a crossing guard, supercedes all traffic lights etc.

It's just like if you have a police officer on a corner during construction and they direct you to go or stop against what the traffic light says to do. You have to obey the police officer's signals, not the traffic lights.

Disney Doll is correct. I was a crossing guard for 8 years and you have to obey their signals, not the traffic lights. I worked with a partner at a very busy intersection, she on one side, me on the other. If there were only 1 or 2 children, we would cross them stopping only the traffic on one side. I have to say that I did have problems with motorists. We crossed about 175 children in the morning and about 200 in the afternoon. The motorists in the morning could get pretty antsy. It was not my fault if they left late for work or were running behind. The safety of the children was always priority one.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

It is the same here , the crossing guard has the right away. We have to abide by the crossing guards signals not the lights when the crossing guard is out.

 

[buddy&wooz]

Yep, same here, the crossing guard has the right of way. I would hope he'd try to be aware of the traffic, though, just because he has the right of way doesn't mean people will follow the rules. Like that extra 30 seconds they have to wait will ruin their day .

Same as with school busses. My son catches the bus just across the street from my home, and it amazes me how many people just whiz past the stopped bus (which is not only flashing it's lights properly, but she even pulls just a bit into the opposing lane to make the lights more obvious. Not to mention the fact there there's a small child with his mom standing there waiting to cross. Duh, people.)

I love when the bus driver blares her horn at people and they stop, but I have to walk behind them anyway because they're already next to the bus. I like to remind them of the 5 points and large fine they'd get if a cop was around...

 

[Hannathy]

I understand they have the right away but could they have a little consideration of the drivers also. Our guards are terrible that way. One guard always stops traffic when you get the arrow and then no one can turn, traffic will back up for blocks! Another further up the street will stop the traffic and then wait for the child who was still up the street to get to the intersection ( and I don't mean only in a downpour or when it is negative 20)

 

[Wishing on a star]

The children, and the crossing guard, have the right of way.

That car had no right to endanger children.

People need to have some patience.
Remember, school crossings are there for a reason.
They are usually only that much of a delay for about 15-20 minutes prior to the school bell. Or after the school bell in the afternoon.

It may be better on your nerves if you could try to avoid this worst time.

 

[HoneyPooh]

We have one of these ones. He stops traffic for a kid that is a block away..and walking as slowly as he possibly can because he doesn't want to go to school! I sit patiently and bellow along with the radio. He's a nice guy but takes it a bit far sometimes. I give him the right of way no matter what.

My sister did complained about him once because he was directing traffic with no kids around. A business down the street let out and I guess he thought he would help them out. He was standing in the middle of the intersection doing a traffic cop routine. She called the police station and they went out and told him not to mess with the intersection unless he was crossing children. I think he got a bit carried away with his importance. He was messing up the whole traffic pattern in that area and fixing to cause an accident.

 

[Crankyshank]

the crossing guard has the right of way. I pass 9 of them on my way into work in the morning and it takes forever because of the 3 that are at major traffic lights. Nothing can be done but I wish they would move the crosswalk to a safer place.

I called the complain about a crossing guard a few weeks ago because she was stopping traffic to allow adults coming out from dunkin donuts to cross.

 

[nkjzmom]

I understand they have the right away but could they have a little consideration of the drivers also. Our guards are terrible that way. One guard always stops traffic when you get the arrow and then no one can turn, traffic will back up for blocks! Another further up the street will stop the traffic and then wait for the child who was still up the street to get to the intersection ( and I don't mean only in a downpour or when it is negative 20)

I agree...we live just a few blocks from a middle school and major intersection and the crossing guard there is wonderful. He does wait until the arrow is red and the WALK sign is flashing. I think it teaches the kids to pay attention to the sign and know when they should and shouldn't walk rather than relying purely on him.

 

[golfgal]

We were trying for YEARS to get a crossing guard at a very busy uncontrolled intersection in town that many, many kids crossed every day. The police in our town told us that technically the crossing guards don't have the legal authority to stop traffic. They only have crossing guards at controlled intersections in our town, which is ridiculous in my opinion. In the OP's case, the kids would be safer without the crossing guard.

 

[shortbun]

There is loads of confusion about the rules regarding crossing guards and school buses. I drive a bus and people just have no clue about how to drive around them. When there are children involved-the children's safety should be considered by everyone-the drivers, the crossing guard, the bus drivers AND the children. Drive slowly, pedestrians have the right of way any time they are in a crosswalk. Everyone should make it their business to know and obey the rules!!!

 

[Patty3]

The children, and the crossing guard, have the right of way.

That car had no right to endanger children.

People need to have some patience.
Remember, school crossings are there for a reason.
They are usually only that much of a delay for about 15-20 minutes prior to the school bell. Or after the school bell in the afternoon.

It may be better on your nerves if you could try to avoid this worst time.

Being a former crossing guard, I could not have put it better. Leave earlier or later to avoid the traffic.