We all know school zones can be unsafe places for students, but a recent research study from Safe Kids Worldwide confirms there is a problem at school zones across the U.S. A recent study recorded the behaviors of 39,000 middle and high school students crossing the street in school zones during student drop off and pick up time. It shows nearly 80 percent of students did not cross the street safely.
This comes at a time when, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths among 12 – 19 - year-olds have increased 13 percent in the past two years. In fact, the study shows five teens die every week while walking distracted.
Americas Favorite Crossing Guard is a campaign to raise awareness about the tremendous contribution crossing guards make to protect kids on the move and to recognize their hard work through a national campaign devoted to saying, “Thank you.”
North Carolina’s Safe Kids County Coalitions submitted their nominations to win the America’s Favorite Crossing Guard award and have announced they received seven nominations. Voting continues through Jan. 31. If chosen as the winner, the school will receive a $500 grant and the crossing guard will win some cool prizes.
“We have some great crossing guards in North Carolina and we are honored to have seven nationally recognized,” said Shannon Bullock, director of Safe Kids NC. “I encourage everyone to go to www.safekids.org to vote in support of your local school crossing guard.”
Nominations were submitted for the following crossing guards:
- Anderson Whitted, Central Elementary School, Hillsborough.
- Jerome Sutton, Sun Valley Middle School, Monroe.
- Barry Furlough, Wintergreen Primary, Greenville.
- James Gaither, Barringer and Eastover Elementary, Charlotte.
- Avery Hairston, Powell Elementary Center for Play and Ingenuity, Raleigh.
- Minnie Galloway, Trask Middle School and Laney High School, Wilmington.
- Johnny Ketcham, John Van Lindley Elementary School, Greensboro.
About Safe Kids North Carolina
Safe Kids North Carolina is dedicated to preventing childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in North Carolina. For more information, contact Director Shannon Bullock at 919.647.0081 or Shannon.Bullock@ncdoi.gov.