CINCINNATI, OH (May 21, 2020) –An unusual ending to the school year won’t stop the celebration for outstanding students in AAA’s School Safety Patrol Program.

As the organization recognizes the 100^th year anniversary of the largest school-based safety program in the world, AAA surprised a local student as the Outstanding AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year.

Trey Bayer, a 5^th grade graduate of Springmeyer Elementary School located in Green Township was recognized for his exemplary service for the 2019-2020 school year.

As a patroller, Bayer understands the value of being dependable and true to his word. He always shows up for his shift on time and prepared with his equipment properly placed to patrol the halls of the school. He knows the rules to ensure that he and his fellow classmates are modeling the best traffic safety behavior. He is highly respected for his commitment to answer the call to step in the role of a fellow patroller who cannot make his or her shift.

As an Outstanding School Safety Patrol award recipient, Bayer received a plaque in recognition of his accomplishments and a Visa Gift Card during a surprise socially distanced presentation, presented by AAA.

More than 4,000 patrollers currently participate in the AAA School Safety Patrol program in more than 200 Ohio elementary schools. Overall, the program has more than 679,000 Patrollers in 35,000 schools across North America and 30 countries.

For 100 years, AAA has sponsored and provided major support for the AAA School Safety Patrol by supplying training materials, recognition programs for service, and patrol equipment, including the familiar badge and belt.

AAA School Safety Patrols direct children, not traffic. As school-age leaders in traffic safety, patrol members teach other students about traffic safety on a peer-to-peer basis. They also serve as role models for younger children.  Patrols complete training in traffic safety so they can protect students from the hazards of crossing roads and highways on their way to and from school; assist bus drivers in safely transporting students to and from school; teach fellow students about traffic safety; and serve other leadership functions under the direction of school officials.

AAA School Safety Patrol began in 1920 when Charles M. Hayes, then president of the Chicago Motor Club, built the infrastructure and provided the resources so other AAA clubs across the U.S. could protect school-aged children walking to and from school. Hayes had witnessed several children at a school crossing get killed by a speeding car. After the horrific incident, Hayes pledged to help prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Patrollers receive traffic safety training designed to keep children safer on their way to and from school and within school buildings.

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly two and a half million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.

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