In brief
An investigation by AP and Cox Media Group indicates that school crossing guards face significant dangers while on duty, with at least 230 incidents reported over the past decade, leading to almost three dozen fatalities. Moreover, many of these incidents go unreported, and drivers who injure or kill crossing guards often evade criminal charges. As demographic data reveals that many crossing guards are elderly, the investigation calls for more robust safety measures and tracking systems to protect these vital community figures.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Across the U.S., school crossing guards are crucial in ensuring children's safety as they travel to and from school. Many crossing guards deem their roles rewarding, but a recent investigation by AP and Cox Media Group Television Stations uncovers alarming dangers associated with the job.
The investigation yielded several distressing findings:
- Currently, there is no systematic tally of injuries or fatalities among crossing guards each year.
- A decade of data collected by AP and Cox shows that at least 230 crossing guards across 37 states and Washington, D.C., were struck by vehicles while on duty, with nearly three dozen fatalities recorded. This statistic likely underrepresents the total number of incidents nationwide.
- Drivers involved in accidents with crossing guards rarely face criminal charges, even in cases resulting in death.
In an analysis of 183 crossing guard incidents where police outcomes could be identified, nearly half resulted in traffic citations like failure to yield to a pedestrian. A quarter of the drivers received no tickets, while another quarter faced criminal charges. Authorities emphasize that the details of each case must be evaluated individually, meaning not every situation warrants legal consequences.
Federal data analyzed indicates that crossing guards rank among the most hazardous occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes them with road construction flaggers, thus omitting their specific fatality rate from general reports. However, AP has calculated fatality rates for approximately 200 job classifications, establishing crossing guards as among the professions with the highest death rates, alongside power line installers and air transportation workers.
A few states, notably New Jersey and Massachusetts, have taken initiatives to address crossing guard safety. New Jersey, after several tragic incidents, has started targeting unsafe school zones for safety inspections. In 2022, Massachusetts mandated that municipalities report crossing guard injuries.
Experts identify distracted driving and speeding as major contributors to accidents. Additionally, the design of modern vehicles, with higher hoods creating blind spots, limits drivers' visibility of crossing guards. Along with this, many school areas lack essential traffic-calming features such as speed bumps and sufficient pedestrian buffers.
Demographically, many crossing guards tend to be seniors; over half of the 160 guards documented in the AP study were over the age of 65.
This investigative report is part of a collaborative effort by the Associated Press and local television stations under The AP Local Investigative Reporting Program, aimed at unveiling critical safety issues within communities.
