Policy & funding

The community of Montpelier, VT, is promoting a different "Way To Go."

Sherwood Forest Elementary School in Winston-Salem, NC, is making strides in its efforts to encourage safe walking to school thanks to strong parent involvement, collaboration with the City of Winston-Salem and donations from local businesses.

This tip sheet offers guidance for liability issues with walking or bicycling to school.

Resource File: 

liabilitytipsheet.pdf

The law regarding what a motorist is required to do when approaching a crosswalk where a pedestrian is present varies state by state. In some states, the law requires the motorist to yield, and in other states the motorist is required to stop.

The national Safe Routes to School program again grew at an impressive rate during the first quarter (January to March) of 2008, with total committed spending jumping nearly 21 percent from $183.7 million at the end of 2007 to approximately $221.7 million at the end of March 2008. This increase of $38 million is the second largest quarterly increase in announced SRTS spending since the program began in 2006.

Resource File: 

Spring08_Tracking_Report.pdf

The funding mechanism for school crossing guards can vary from city to
city. In some locations the crossing guard is funded by the police department, in other locations the financial responsibility is fully on
the school system or the individual school. In other locations the city and school system split the cost. Someone at the school should be able to clarify who is responsible for providing crossguards..

Attitudes toward liability vary considerably. In an informal, simple walking school bus, participants generally do not have concerns due to the loose nature of the group. In more structured programs, organizers may want to address the issue of liability. In some cases, PTO/PTA insurance will cover walking school bus volunteers. School officials may need to ask the district risk management attorney to help them find solutions to liability concerns such as the use of parent consent forms.

The National Safe Routes to School program continued its steady expansion and growth again during the fourth quarter of 2007 (October to December), with total committed spending jumping from $156 million at the end of September to approximately $183.7 million at the end of December. This $27.7 million increase is an expansion of 17.8 percent.

Resource File: 

Winter_2007_Tracking_Report.pdf