Start Your Patrol

In 1920, the AAA School Safety Patrol program began, allowing students to be active participants in maintaining a safe walk to and from school. Today, over 675,000 students in 35,000 schools worldwide actively participate in the AAA School Safety Patrol by providing a safer environment for child pedestrians. AAA Northeast would like to encourage all schools to initiate their own AAA School Safety Patrol program.

Advisor Resources

Operations Manual

 Patrol Advisor Training 

At Your Post

Patroller Application

Download Student Certificates

AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year Program

School Safety Patrol

From humble beginnings as a small, boys-only initiative in 1920, the AAA School Safety Patrol has grown to over 675,000 patrollers – boys and girls – in 35,000 schools. The AAA School Safety Patrol program is the world’s largest school-based safety program – instilling lessons of good citizenship, leadership and responsibility. Today, these young leaders dedicate their time before, during and after school each day, working with teachers, supervisors, adult crossing guards and law enforcement to ensure the safety of their classmates.

Past patrollers have grown up to be U.S. presidents/vice presidents (Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden), astronauts, governors, members of Congress and Supreme Court justices, as well as Olympic Gold medalists. Many patrollers also now serve as educators, executives, physicians and other community leaders throughout the nation.

AAA Safety First Car Kids

Where It All Began

The AAA School Safety Patrol Program is grounded in a rich history. Charles M. Hayes, then president of the Chicago Motor Club, is credited for building the infrastructure and providing the resources so other AAA clubs across the U.S. could protect school-aged children walking to and from school. Hayes witnessed several children struck and killed by a speeding car at a school crossing. After the horrific incident, Hayes pledged to help prevent such a tragedy from happening again. From that day forward, patrollers received traffic safety training designed to keep children safer while walking to and from their school. Because of the steadfast dedication of Hayes, the program is now over 100 years strong and continues to have a positive impact on schools, students and communities.
AAA Safety Patrol Girls

PATROLLER TRAINING

The “At Your Post” AAA School Safety Patrol training video serves as a comprehensive training for your school safety patrollers. This video should be reviewed each year or with each new group of patrollers. Please keep in mind that patroller’s posts and tasks will vary based on the safety concerns at the individual school. Patrol advisors should supplement this video training by explaining the school’s policies, procedures and daily expectations to patrol members.

  • At Your Post

  • Celebrating 100 Years

  • DOT Secretary Congratulations

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Nov. 14 is Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, a student-led movement started by AAA School Safety Patrollers!  The annual walk honors the first day of school in 1960 for Ruby Bridges, who was one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white school in Louisiana. Last year, 340,000 students across 49 states, the District of Columbia, and international locations participated in the walk.  Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day started in 2018 when a group of 5th-grade Patrollers learned about Ruby’s story and sought to build a nationwide movement to act as a day of dialogue about issues that are important to them.  

Download the "Walk to School Day" Poster

ruby bridges walk to school day poster

Join us in our walk to school as we continue our journey to end racism and all forms of bullying on November 14, 2023.

Tips, programs and resources to practice road safety.

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