About the school Crossing Guard Program

The School Crossing Guard Program provides an important service for families in Halifax. School crossing guards help students arrive at their classroom safely and confidently and remind drivers and other road users of the presence of pedestrians at key locations.

School crossing guards play a vital role in ensuring the safety of students as they travel through our school communities. At crosswalks that meet the municipality’s criteria, crossing guards help guide students across busy roads and intersections by making sure drivers and people cycling are aware of pedestrians crossing. They are trained to be attentive, patient and observant. School crossing guards wear bright, reflective vest and use a stop sign.

Crosswalk safety

Crossing guards help advance the municipality’s vision zero road safety strategy by helping keep all crosswalk and road users attentive to their surroundings, particularly at busy crossings close to schools. Crossing guards know the rules, are trained to and have high visibility safety vests and handheld stop signs to help ensure visibility. 

Whether a crossing guard is there or not, we all play a role in keeping our streets safe. Here are a few tips to help you out:

Tips for parents and guardians

Parents and guardians can help by teaching children at an early age, including practicing some or all of the following points with their children often: 

• Use designated crosswalks whenever possible;
• Wait for the crossing signal or activate the crossing lights before proceeding;
• Stop and look both ways before you cross;
• Make eye contact with drivers (and make sure they are stopped) before stepping into the road;
• Keep your head up and put away distractions like mobile devices and even headphones; and,
• Wear bright or reflective clothing to help increase your visibility, especially at night.
   

Tips for drivers and cyclists

Drivers and cyclists play a critical role in maintaining safety in school zones. Here are some points to remember:

• By law, all vehicles must come to a complete stop at school crosswalks when a crossing guard is present or when pedestrians are crossing;
• Drivers must yield the entire width of the roadway and wait until all pedestrians and the crossing guard have safely reached the sidewalk before proceeding; and
• Observe posted speed limit and school zone signs.
   

Tips for pedestrians

• Cross at designated crossings whenever possible;
• Stop and look both ways and wait for the crossing signal or activate the crossing lights before proceeding;
• Make eye contact with drivers (and make sure they are stopped) before stepping into the road;
• Keep your head up and put away distractions like mobile devices and even headphones; and,
• Wear bright or reflective clothing to help increase your visibility, especially at night.