PHOENIX (AZFamily) — As thousands of students head back to school, crossing guards across the Valley are also preparing.
Their overarching goal of, or job of, a crossing guard, is to ensure that students are getting to and from school safely,” said Chris Gottsacker with Maricopa Association of Governments.
Every year, Gottsacker helps provide training to hundreds of crossing guards in Arizona to make sure they’re well-equipped and ready for the school season. “They are the front line between your kids and oncoming traffic,” Gottsacker explained.
That responsibility has become even more serious. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, pedestrian incidents are on the rise. From 2023 to 2024, there was a nearly 15% increase in people hit by cars while using crosswalks. Last year alone, 139 pedestrians were killed, and more than 1,300 were injured — including over 200 children and teens.
That’s why Gottsacker says these regional training sessions are crucial so crossing guards know how to evaluate traffic flow, judge safe crossing gaps, and communicate effectively with both students and drivers.
“This regional training ensures that everyone throughout the Valley is behaving in the same way. We want to have a more uniform procedure set that all crossing guards are using,” Gottsacker said.
And it’s needed. Gottsacker says many veteran crossing guards report frequent near-miss incidents with inattentive or speeding drivers.
As guards prepare to stand their posts, officials are also urging parents and drivers to do their part. “Be extra cautious in school zones,” Gotsacker said. “Slow down, put the phone away, and set a good example for your kids.”
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