**EEAA - WALKERS AND RIDERS** Parents are responsible for the safety of their child on the way to and from school. The school district will cooperate with any established service or automobile club with a well-conceived program for pedestrian and/or bicycle safety for students. The principal and teachers of each school, in a manner appropriate to the age group, shall provide a pedestrian and bicycle safety program for all students. Under provisions of the law, a school safety program can be organized to encourage pupils to cross highways at designated crossings when conditions are safe, to assist drivers of school buses to maintain safety rules, and to protect pupils who are boarding and leaving school buses. School Committee members and school personnel are protected from any liability which might arise from the maintenance or operation of a safety patrol providing it functions according to provisions of the law. The chief of police in each municipality has the authority to authorize the installation of flashing signs in the immediate vicinity of any public or private school if he/she feels these are necessary for safety purposes.  The cost of such signs and the expense of their installation are borne by the Commonwealth. The superintendent is responsible for contacting the chief of police if he/she feels there is a given location where consideration should be given to the installation of flashing lights. **Policy References:** M.G.L. 71:48A