Traffic guards urge drivers to use more caution

Gardendale traffic guards are asking drivers to be more careful around the city’s schools. “Safety is our main concern,” said head traffic guard Hazel Butts.

She reminds those who drop off children at Gardendale Elementary School to make sure all cars are stopped before any doors are opened. She said in the two outside lanes, three cars can unload at the same time, while four cars can unload in the lane closest to the school.

“We also encourage children to walk the white line to the cross walk where the crossing guard is and don’t walk between cars,” she said.

Coming out of Bragg Middle School and Gardendale High School, drivers can turn right only. Also at the high school, Butts said parents are supposed to drop students off on the side of the school facing Mt. Olive Road.

“For the safety of your children, please pay attention to the crossing guards,” she said.

The city employs 12 crossing guards, 11 of which work at the three schools in the city and one works at Snow Rogers Elementary School.