Representatives Young and White Hold Press Conference on Crossing Guard Protection Act

COLUMBUS-State Representatives Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) and Andrea White (R-Kettering) today held a press conference on the Crossing Guard Protection Act, newly introduced legislation to increase protections for school crossing guards in Ohio as they work to protect students going to and from school.

According to a recent investigative study, over the last 10 years, more than 225 crossing guards have been hit while working to keep students safe on their way to and from school. In many cases, drivers faced only a minor traffic citation or no penalty at all. Those numbers don't include the thousands of near misses, speeding in school zones, red light and failure to yield violations which occur in Ohio each year. The Crossing Guard Protection Act aims to change that.

Key provisions of House Bill 690 are as follows:

• Authorizes school crossing guards to direct, stop, and control traffic in order to ensure the safety of pedestrians using a crosswalk;
• Establishes a first-degree penalty for failure to obey a school crossing guard, as well as for harassing, intimidating, or interfering with a guard while they are performing official duties; and
• Doubles the fine if the offender is in a school zone at the time of the violation during the hours in which the school zone speed limit was in effect.

"This legislation strengthens protections for students and the school crossing guards who keep them safe every day," said Rep. Young. "It makes clear that lawful directions at school crosswalks must be obeyed and that interfering with a crossing guard carries real consequences. This is a commonsense measure to protect both children and the adults serving our communities."

"Crossing guards put their lives on the line for our kids every day," said Rep. White. "Drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk - including slowing and stopping so they can safely cross. We need more education, awareness and accountability to ensure both our students and our crossing guards are safe and supported by everyone sharing the roads."

Chip Protsman, Chief of the Kettering Police Department, and Becky Evans, a crossing guard for Franklin City Schools, also participated in the press conference alongside the representatives.

"I want to sincerely thank Representatives Young and White for introducing this important bill to protect our crossing guards," said Chief Protsman. "These dedicated men and women go to work every day to ensure the safety of our children as they travel to and from school. They are a vital part of our community's commitment to keeping kids safe. The injuries suffered by crossing guards due to careless and distracted drivers are unacceptable, and it's clear that something must be done to better protect those who protect our children."

"I am thrilled to see that this has been brought to the forefront as a crossing guard," said Evans. "I was ridiculed right after I got hit for endangering my kids' lives, trying to get them across the street. And then when I got hit and the woman got a $48 fine. It's kind of like a slap in the face. I was only doing my job protecting my kids. We're just normal people trying to make sure our kids get across the street, and we deserve to be protected. These drivers that are flying through the school zones deserve to be penalized for that, and in a stiffer way."

The legislation awaits a House committee assignment.

To watch the full press conference, click here.