The Child Safety Transportation Act of 1992 (Chapters 69 and 403 of the Laws of 1992) allows school districts to transport students for distances less than the statutory transportation distance requirements. These guidelines have been developed in consultation with the State Education Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Division of State Police in order to identify conditions under which walking to and from school may endanger the safety of children. Using these guidelines, school districts can authorize the establishment of a child safety zone.

There are three basic types of safety hazards students may encounter while walking to school:

The guidelines identify factors for each of these types of hazards. These factors, each with assigned point values, are added together to determine if a hazardous zone exists. If the total points equal or exceed the values as set forth in section 191.4 of this Part, then the school district may choose to create a child safety zone.