To establish and maintain a school safety patrol and with the written consent of the parents of individual pupils to appoint such pupils to participate as members thereof for the purpose of influencing and encouraging the other pupils to refrain from crossing public streets and highways at points other than at regular crossings and for the purpose of directing pupils not to cross streets and highways at times when the presence of traffic would render such crossing unsafe.
     The safety patrol shall function only under the direction and control of school authorities; however, upon request of the school board other agencies may cooperate to such extent as may be agreed upon.
     No liability shall attach either to the school district or any individual, trustee, board member, superintendent, principal, teacher or other school employee by virtue of the organization, maintenance or operation of a school safety patrol organized, maintained and operated under authority of this section.
     Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize or permit the use of any safety patrol member for the purpose of directing vehicular traffic.