RICHMOND (WWJ) - Police in northern Metro Detroit are urging drivers to pay attention after a crossing guard assisting school children narrowly avoided being struck by a vehicle on Thursday morning.
"There is absolutely NO REASON to disregard a crossing guard's stop sign!" the Richmond Police Department said in a Facebook post about the incident, which occurred around 7:15 a.m. on Oct. 5. "We will pursue all violations and forward them to the appropriate court for fine/penalty assessment."
The department stated that the crossing guard had instructed children to wait at the curb as she moved onto the crosswalk with an illuminated stop sign raised when a driver "disregarded her stop sign and drove past her, narrowly missing her."
No one was physically hurt in the encounter and the children were unharmed.
Authorities urged parents to "pack their patience" when dropping off or picking up their children and to leave early, considering traffic congestion and additional time it takes to get through school zones.
"As every crossing guard will tell you, these types of incidents are not uncommon," Richmond police stated. "I implore each and every driver to focus on their driving and pay attention to the traffic signals and especially the crossing guards within this City."
According to Michigan law, any driver who fails to stop for a school crossing guard in a crosswalk, who is holding a stop sign in an upright position visible to approaching vehicular traffic, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
