City revises crossing policy

Lawrence parents will now breathe easier when they send their elementary students to school. Recent concern for children’s safety while walking to school prompted the Lawrence City Commission to make changes to the school crossing guard policy.

At the city commission meeting on Jan. 22, commissioners revised the current crossing guard policy. The policy will now consider sight distance at the point of crossing, the number of lanes being crossed, and the street’s speed limit in determining whether to place a crossing guard at an intersection.

The intersection at Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams way that prompted the policy revision.
Source: Lawrence City Commission Minutes

Changes to the policy have been discussed in the past but complaints related to the intersection near Langston Hughes Elementary pushed the issue to the forefront. Chuck Soules, Public Works Director, said that complaints regarding the intersection at Bob Billings Pkwy. and George Williams Way were the “catalyst” that prompted the most recent proposed changes.

Revisions to the policy will apply near elementary schools only. Only one location warranted a new crossing guard as a result of policy changes. The traffic commission says it will revisit crossing locations in the spring to observe any changes in the number of students in the area. They will then determine if additional crossing guards are needed