Crossing Guard Safety
From Police Department
Our Franklin Lakes Crossing guards are a vital part of the community and they need your help. They regularly report to work with an upbeat and customer-friendly attitude and greeting students and parents with a smile or friendly wave. Without fail, they welcome just about everyone in this manner, whether it rains, snows, or a bright sunny day. The crossing guards report to duty in the four-way road intersection of Franklin Avenue and Pulis Avenue, ready to work from 7:30 - 8:30 in the morning and again from 2:30 - 3:30 in the afternoon. The Franklin Lakes Crossing Guards are dedicated employees entrusted with the safe arrival and departure of the Franklin Lake Avenue Middle School students. Without them, crossing the busy intersection near the school would place students at great risk. The crossing guard's infectious smile, friendly morning greetings, and acts of kindness encourage the students on their way to school. Creating a positive atmosphere for students as they arrive to learn. They work hard to keep our students and their parents safe. Doing it humbly without complaints.
However, over the last few months, distracted, and aggressive drivers have acted in a manner threatening the guard’s safety. In speaking with them, they report that the overwhelming majority of the folks they encounter are excellent; with maybe 1% that are creating a challenge. Over the last decade, the accident rate for crossing guards has increased by a staggering 65%. This increase can be contributed to the traffic congestion on the roadways, which were not designed to handle the volume of vehicles as well as distracted driving. These factors are good enough reasons to slow down and be prepared to stop and wait until the crossing guard gives you direction to turn or otherwise enter a crosswalk.
The Franklin Lakes Police understand how hectic it can be for parents to get their children and themselves ready for their day, drop them off and pick them up after school. The streets and drop-off zones surrounding the school can become crowded and gridlocked. However, cautious, caring, and patient driving can keep everyone safe and free from harm. We have developed a short list of tips that our crossing guards want you to know and follow to help keep them and those they assist safe.
Tips to Remember to Keep our Crossing Guards Safe
School Zone
Our Franklin Lakes Crossing guards are a vital part of the community and they need your help. They regularly report to work with an upbeat and customer-friendly attitude and greeting students and parents with a smile or friendly wave. Without fail, they welcome just about everyone in this manner, whether it rains, snows, or a bright sunny day. The crossing guards report to duty in the four-way road intersection of Franklin Avenue and Pulis Avenue, ready to work from 7:30 - 8:30 in the morning and again from 2:30 - 3:30 in the afternoon. The Franklin Lakes Crossing Guards are dedicated employees entrusted with the safe arrival and departure of the Franklin Lake Avenue Middle School students. Without them, crossing the busy intersection near the school would place students at great risk. The crossing guard's infectious smile, friendly morning greetings, and acts of kindness encourage the students on their way to school. Creating a positive atmosphere for students as they arrive to learn. They work hard to keep our students and their parents safe. Doing it humbly without complaints.
However, over the last few months, distracted, and aggressive drivers have acted in a manner threatening the guard’s safety. In speaking with them, they report that the overwhelming majority of the folks they encounter are excellent; with maybe 1% that are creating a challenge. Over the last decade, the accident rate for crossing guards has increased by a staggering 65%. This increase can be contributed to the traffic congestion on the roadways, which were not designed to handle the volume of vehicles as well as distracted driving. These factors are good enough reasons to slow down and be prepared to stop and wait until the crossing guard gives you direction to turn or otherwise enter a crosswalk.
The Franklin Lakes Police understand how hectic it can be for parents to get their children and themselves ready for their day, drop them off and pick them up after school. The streets and drop-off zones surrounding the school can become crowded and gridlocked. However, cautious, caring, and patient driving can keep everyone safe and free from harm. We have developed a short list of tips that our crossing guards want you to know and follow to help keep them and those they assist safe.
Tips to Remember to Keep our Crossing Guards Safe
School Zone
- Between the buses, drop-off users, and commuter drivers, there are several moving parts, and traffic volume peaks quickly in a small area.
- Be alert, cautious, and aware of the crossing guard and pedestrians. Pedestrians in the crosswalk have the right of way.
- Be early, on high alert, and exercise patience.
- In a school zone, help contribute to safety by focusing on driving and refraining from distracted and aggressive driving.
- Please do not create your own travel lane.
- Use extra caution near crosswalks.
- Let all pedestrians and bikers clear the intersection, then wait for the crossing guard to signal you to proceed into the intersection.
- Use of your turn signals help the crossing guards keep tracking flowing.
- Please follow the safety laws by using designated crosswalks.
- Parents do not cross in the middle of the street, allow students to run across the parking lot, or cross between parked buses / cars.
- The risk of an accident is minimized by following the direction of the crossing guard and by using the crosswalks.
- When you see a driver putting a crossing guard at risk, please call the Franklin Lakes Police Department by dialing 201-891-3131 or 911 if it is an emergency.
- We need your help to keep our crossing guards safe as they protect our children.
- Their work is vitally important to the town.