AAA Bestows Award to Crossing Guards, Launches ‘Back to School’ Safety Campaign

Phoenix, Ariz. August 11, 2008.  As the end of summer nears and a new school year begins, it is that time of year when motorists will begin to see an increase in pedestrian and bicyclist traffic as children commute to and from school. As a result, AAA Arizona is launching its 75th annual School’s Open – Drive Carefully public awareness campaign and honoring two crossing guards with AAA’s first-ever Crossing Guard of the Year award. 

“Crossing guards brave the heat, cold and motorists in order to help keep our children safe,” said AAA Arizona Public Affairs Manager Linda Gorman. “Many people fail to realize that they play a vital role in school safety.”

Last year, the auto club solicited nominations from Maricopa County schools for the award. The auto club received over 115 nominations from students, parents, community members and school faculty.

As a result of their outstanding dedication, friendliness, professionalism and safety to the communities they serve, AAA selected Dolores “Dee” Kirby of Desert Canyon Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz. and Carmen Campanaro of Legend Springs Elementary School in Glendale, Ariz. as AAA Arizona Crossing Guards of the Year for the 2007-2008 school year. Additionally, the auto club honored Chris Sorenson of Shumway Elementary School in Chandler, Ariz. with an Outstanding Guard of the Year award. All three guards were honored with awards at the Maricopa Association of Government’s (MAG) annual Crossing Guard Training, held earlier this month. 

“The number of nominations we received for the award goes to show the type of positive impact crossing guards have in their communities,” said Gorman. “Since children do not yet have the capabilities they need to make sound judgments, it is up to crossing guards to look out for children who might otherwise find themselves in harms way.”

Scottsdale Unified School District administrators speak highly of their crossing guard. "We want to ensure that all of our students receive an outstanding education -- and that starts with them arriving at school safely. Dolores helps insure this every day and we're very happy that her hard work and caring attitude have been recognized," said Superintendent Dr. John M. Baracy. Sally Norton, the principal at Desert Canyon Elementary School where Kirby works, said, “Dolores is the grandmother that every student should have! She gives each of them attention and kindness as if they were her own.”

In Arizona, there were 3,433 crashes in 2006 involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Of these, the 14 and under demographic accounted for 16 percent (550) of injuries and fatalities. When compared to the rest of the country, Arizona ranked ninth in the nation for traffic fatalities among children under the age of 14 in 2006 with 56 fatalities.

To help protect Arizona children returning to the classroom, AAA Arizona encourages motorists to follow these safety tips:

• Obey the speed limit. Drive no faster than 15 miles per hour in or near a school zone. Remember that fines double when the “STOP WHEN CHILDREN IN CROSSWALK” signs are present.

• Remember, school zones are non-passing zones. Passing in a 15 mph school zone is against the law.
  
  
• Drop children off on school property, not on neighborhood streets.
  
  
• Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children could dart into the road.
  
  
• Walk around your vehicle before moving it, especially during morning and afternoon hours.
  
  
• Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students. Remember, it is illegal to pass a school bus with flashing red lights.
  
  
• Teach children that “parked” vehicles might move. Let them know that even though they can see the vehicle, the driver might not be able to see them.
  
  
• Obey the crossing guard at all school crossings. Stop before reaching a crosswalk when the stop sign is in an upright position and the crossing guard and children are in the crosswalk. Do not proceed through the crosswalk until the children and the crossing guard have cleared the roadway.
  

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.