Early risers.

Dependable... no matter what the weather brings (rain, snow or hail).

Committed...to keeping children safe in their community.

Who does this describe, you might ask? Why, crossing guards of course!

We’ve all experienced it.  It’s a hot summer evening and you’re preparing dinner while your child goes outside with a friend to play ball in front of your house.  Inevitably the ball slips out of your child’s hand and rolls onto the road.  He is just about to go after it when a car zooms down your street going at least 60 km/hr in a 40km/hr residential zone.  Luckily, your child didn’t run after the ball or else something as innocent as playing outside could have taken a turn for the worst. 

This morning I read a tweet that asked why do parents always buy something to keep their kids safe rather than teach them how to be safe?  Well, it is an intriguing question and I could make arguments for and against teaching safety. But I think when we see technology that can assist us in making our kids safe; we are willing to make that extra investment, even though it’s not always the best choice.

In July we asked members of communities from across Canada to apply for a FedEx grant to start a Pace Car program in their neighbourhood. We are pleased to announce that 10 neighbourhoods in Canada have agreed to slow down and make the streets a little safer for all of us, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.

On Halloween, your neighbourhood will most likely be swarming with children, and it's your job to be sure they get their treats home safely. Trick-or-treating, a fun-filled activity that little ghosts and goblins look forward to each October, can quickly turn into a night of horror if someone is hurt.

Most people think of Halloween as a time for fun and treats. And for kids, the excitement of Halloween can easily distract them from good safety habits. When rumours spread of a house with “good candy” we often see kids crossing streets at mid-block rather than at corners or crosswalks, or choosing the shortest rather than the safest route across streets, often darting out between parked cars, which put them at risk for injury.

Fall is in the air.  I can smell the bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils and the banter of joyful children as they say good morning to Jack my friendly neighbourhood crossing guard. Jack lives in the same apartment building as me and I often bump into him in the laundry room, but my first encounter with Jack was as a driver on my way to my first job here in Toronto, a.k.a. The Big Smoke.  

When the school bells return to their routine ringing in September, it reminds me that there is going to be more traffic on my drive to work and that my days of sailing through the side streets of the city are at an end. I must admit that the two months when the pack-laden kids are not on the streets during the morning rush is my favourite time to drive.

Have you always wanted drivers to slow down in your neighbourhood? If yes, then follow thses five easy steps and you will be well on your way to making it happen!