Does D.C. Offer a School Crossing Guard Program?

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your community by making it safer? Are you aware of a few busy intersections in your neighborhood that may require school guards? If so, you may want to check out the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) School Crossing Guard Program.

The program helps students who are walking and bicycling near schools and in their neighborhoods, making sure they arrive to campuses safely.

Making sure children arrive safely at school is a priority for the District. In 2008, the crossing guard program was transferred from the Metropolitan Police Department to DDOT, allowing it to accept new requests.

Through the program, you can identify locations in your community, monitor the number of students crossing intersections and speak to a principal or assistant principal with a school about issues—from there, you can send a request to the DDOT for a crossing guard at the location.

Which Locations Qualify for a School Crossing Guard?

According to the DDOT, areas where school crossing guards can be requested must be within a quarter-mile of a public or charter school. Additionally, when monitoring the intersection, you must have counted at least 20 student pedestrians or bicyclists crossing it within the period of one hour.

For more information about program requirements, you can click here.

Should I Speak to an Attorney If I’m Injured in a D.C. Pedestrian Accident?

If you or your child has been involved in a pedestrian accident or another school-related transportation accident, it may be in your best interest to have the incident investigated by an attorney. If his or her injuries are serious, it is likely that you will need money to help pay for medical bills, as well as pain and suffering.

For more information about pedestrian accidents, continue to follow our blog. Our attorneys assist injury victims in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County and Arlington County.

Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys

Source: http://ddot.dc.gov/page/school-crossing-guard-program

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.