Bill Text: CA ACR243 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Crossing Guards Keep Our Children Safe Month.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-09-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 207, Statutes of 2018. [ACR243 Detail]
Download: California-2017-ACR243-Chaptered.html
| Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 243 |
| CHAPTER 207 |
Relative to Crossing Guards Keep Our Children Safe Month.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 07, 2018.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 243, Eduardo Garcia.
Crossing Guards Keep Our Children Safe Month.
This measure would recognize the importance of adult crossing guards and the role they play in our communities and would declare the month of September 2018 as Crossing Guards Keep Our Children Safe Month.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee: NOBill Text
WHEREAS, The State of California has the second highest number of crossing guards in the country; and
WHEREAS, Adult school crossing guards play an important role in the lives of children who walk or bicycle to school by helping them safely cross the street at key locations; and
WHEREAS, The presence of crossing guards makes parents feel comfortable about their children walking or bicycling to school; and
WHEREAS, The job of a crossing guard is dangerous work that often goes unappreciated by motorists and the risks are only expected to increase; and
WHEREAS, Crossing guards are routinely subjected to insults and profanity by drivers who blame the guards for lengthening their already slow commutes; and
WHEREAS, When traffic worsens in California, police say motorists are more likely to speed and ignore rules of the road to make up for time lost in the congestion; and
WHEREAS, That behavior is even more common around schools, where increased crowding only compounds the problem; and
WHEREAS, A recent national survey found that nearly two-thirds of all motorists speed around school zones; and
WHEREAS, Crossing guards are the only line of defense between schoolchildren and those speeding, frustrated motorists; and
WHEREAS, Crossing guards are narrowly missed by hurried and preoccupied motorists who roll through crosswalks before guards and children can get to the curb; and
WHEREAS, Parents and civic leaders are persistent in their demands for more signs, markings, and signals in and around school areas and other locations that attract children; and
WHEREAS, Accident statistics indicate that children are more often involved in nonschool related accidents and this may be indicative that the standard treatments prescribed for traffic control around school facilities are effective; and
WHEREAS, Following uniform standards and safety provisions is a contributing factor to reducing the risk of pedestrian accidents; and
WHEREAS, The job of a crossing guard has become so dangerous that the employees union that represents crossing guards in the City of Los Angeles included a requirement in its latest contract that the city launch a television, radio, and newspaper campaign warning motorists to watch out for them; and
WHEREAS, Adult crossing guards are role models who help children develop the skills necessary to cross streets safely at all times; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the importance of adult crossing guards and the role they play in our communities; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature declares the month of September 2018 as Crossing Guards Keep Our Children Safe Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
