Alberta Motor Association student patrollers return to province’s crosswalks

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) has reintroduced student safety patrollers in Alberta's crosswalks after more than eight decades of service. The organization's school safety patrol coordinator, Allison Purcell, has confirmed that this program has a remarkable safety record, with no serious injuries or fatalities in over eight decades.

For the first-time patrollers, Charlotte Loewen and Briar Maret, the experience brings a new level of confidence to their school environment. Loewen, a Grade 5 student at West Coulee Ridge Elementary School in Lethbridge, mentioned that she used to be unable to cross the road by herself and the role of patroller will make parents feel safer.

Maret, also a Grade 5 student at the same school, believes that the patrolling role offers her valuable leadership experience. She explained that the patrollers demonstrate to younger students the correct way to cross the road and behave in crosswalks.

However, safety patrolling is a collaborative effort that requires the community's cooperation. Purcell emphasized the importance of drivers paying attention to patrollers' commands and stopping when signaled, as well as pedestrians being responsible too. She encouraged pedestrians to look both ways, use crosswalks, and turn on their lights if necessary. In Lethbridge, all playground and school zones have a harmonized 30 km/h speed limit from 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., every day.

Sgt. Tony Ramotowski of the Lethbridge Police Service's traffic response unit added that there will be an increased enforcement of traffic rules, both automated and traditional, to remind drivers, pedestrians, and students about the rules. He also highlighted the importance of pedestrians making eye contact with drivers to ensure they are seen. Lethbridge's playground and school zones have been unified under one speed limit to ensure consistent safety measures.