MADISON, Wisc. (February 19, 2024) – Every morning, thousands of adult crossing guards across the state help students safely get to and from school. AAA – The Auto Club Group and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction are proud to help honor their dedication during Wisconsin Adult Crossing Guard Appreciation Week, February 19th – 23rd, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association, Wisconsin Department of Justice – Office of School Safety, Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association and many local law enforcement agencies across the state. “The safety of children is one of the highest priorities in every community,” said Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Adult crossing guards perform a vital service in protecting students from dangerous situations and teaching them how to safely navigate streets and traffic.” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly has issued a proclamation and published a list of ways in which schools, students and communities can help recognize their local crossing guards. AAA will be hosting open houses at its branch offices on the following days and welcoming local crossing guards to stop in for refreshments and other tokens of appreciation:
Tuesday, February 20th
Eau Claire, 8:30am – 4:30pm, 3430 Oakwood Hills Parkway, Eau Claire, WI 54701
Green Bay, 8:30am – 5:30pm, 2285 South Oneida Street, Ste 1, Green Bay, WI 54304
Wednesday, February 21st
Madison, 8:30am – 5:30pm, 2358 East Springs Drive, Ste 100, Madison, WI 53704
Middleton, 8:30am – 5:30pm, 1701 Deming Way, Unit G124, Middleton, WI 53562
Milwaukee, 10:00am – 2:00pm, 4433 South 27th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221
Waukesha, 10:00am – 2:00pm, 21505 East Moreland Boulevard, Ste 100, Waukesha, WI 53186
Grafton, 10:00am – 2:00pm, 1040 North Port Washington Road, Grafton, WI 53024
Menomonee Falls, 10:00am – 2:00pm, W176 N9348 Rivercrest Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Thursday, February 22nd
Appleton, 8:30am – 5:30pm, 160 N McCarthy Road, Appleton, WI 54914
AAA – The Auto Club Group, through its School’s Open Drive Carefully campaign reminds motorists to:
- Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.
- Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
- Eliminate distractions. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.
- Share the road with bicyclists. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist.
- Talk to your teen. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occurs during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
