Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 171 - Public Safety Department
Chapter 7415 - SCHOOL SAFETY PATROLS
Part 7415.0500 - PROCEDURE AT STREET INTERSECTION OR CROSSING

A. The patrol member shall stand on the road shoulder or curb (not in the roadway) where traffic shall be observed approaching from all directions.

B. The patrol member shall instruct the children to remain in place until a break or lull in traffic is seen. During this time, except when actually issuing directions to the children, the patrol member shall stand erect and at attention with the flag staff resting on the ground in a vertical position to the right of the right foot. In this latter position the patrol member will more readily be observed by drivers of approaching vehicles.

C. When a lull occurs in traffic the flag shall be raised vertically upward over the patrol member's head for a period of four seconds, to alert any oncoming traffic.

D. When the lanes of the roadway are clear of traffic the patrol member shall extend the flag into the traffic lane at an angle of approximately 45 degrees upward. This will be the signal for all the children to start crossing the street. Holding the flag at a 45-degree angle will place it above the heads of the children. With two patrol members at one intersection, each member shall make a quarter turn in the direction of the oncoming traffic and remain as close as practicable to the curb or shoulder.

E. While children are crossing the street in a column, the patrol member shall keep this position while watching or facing approaching traffic.

F. After the children have completed crossing the street, the patrol member shall return to the original position on the shoulder or curb.

G. Under no circumstances shall the flag ever be waved or misused in any manner.

H. There shall be one or more patrol members at each crossing. When two are used, one patrol member shall operate as the sender on the side from which the children gather, and the other shall take a similar position on the opposite side of the roadway and operate as the receiver.

I. At least two patrol members shall be used at a particular crossing when, in the opinion of local law enforcement officials, traffic or other conditions are such that more than one patrol member is needed for the safety of the school children.

J. Patrol members shall continually watch oncoming traffic while children are crossing the roadway and be constantly alert for danger. They shall stand between the children and approaching traffic and remain as close as practicable to the curb or shoulder.