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Stop for the lollipop - it's the law
Posted on 06/06/2009
Highways, Transportation & Waste Management
Drivers are being reminded that is it the law to stop for a school crossing patrol.
New signs with the message ‘Stop for the Lollipop, it’s the law’ will go up around the county in the coming weeks.
Reports of drivers failing to stop were discussed at a conference held for school crossing patrols last year and the idea of using the signs has been developed by Leicestershire County Council as a result of this debate.
The temporary signs will be erected for a few weeks at sites where there have been reports of cars failing to stop when instructed to do so by a patrol.
There are over 130 school crossing patrols, affectionately known as lollipop people, throughout the county. It is hoped that the signs will act as an effective reminder to drivers.
Motorists failing to stop can be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points.
James Gibson, Senior Road Safety Officer at Leicestershire County Council said: “The school crossing patrol stop sign means the same as a red traffic light.
“Thankfully, most drivers respect the authority of our School Crossing Patrols and stop when requested to do so. However a minority of drivers flout the law and fail to stop.
“Not only are they putting the lives of the patrols, young children and their families at risk, they are breaking the law.
“The new signs are going up around schools where this has been a problem, and we hope they will get the message home - we don’t want to prosecute anybody, but we will do if people’s safety is in jeopardy.”
Photo opportunity:
A number of photo opportunities have been set up around the county to coincide with the installation of the new signs.
Monday, 8th June
Melton Mowbray: 1000 at St Francis Catholic Primary School with SCP Trisha Bowes (Dalby Rd, LE13 0BP)
Shepshed: 1130 at Newcroft Primary School with SCP Colin Brown (School address: Trueway Drive, LE12 9DU) Exact location of patrol is: Forest Street/Kirkhill
Coalville area: 1430 at Hugglescote Community Primary with SCP Ann Watret (Ashburton Road, LE67 2HA)
Hinckley: 1645 Richmond Primary School with SCP Kathrine Okuneye (School address: Stoke Road, LE10 3EA) Exact location of patrol is: Tudor Rd/ Stanley Rd
Tuesday, 9th June
Wigston: 1330 at Little Hill Primary School with SCP Simon Green (Launceston Road, LE18 2GZ)
Market Harborough area: 1530 at Little Bowden School with SCP Myra Brodie (School address: Scotland Road, LE16 8AY). Exact location of patrol is: A508 Northampton Rd/ Auriga St. Mrs Brodie will be crossing a walking bus from the after school club to the Progress House Day Nursery.
Notes to editors:
The 1953 School Crossing Patrol Act allows people other than police officers to stop traffic. The Act makes provision for School Crossing Patrols to be trained by local authorities and for them to have the authority to stop traffic when they are wearing the approved uniform and carrying the correct stop sign.
The Road Traffic Act 1984 makes it an offence for a driver not to stop when signalled to do so by a School Crossing Patrol. If you fail to stop you will be reported to the police and the possible penalties include a fine up to £1000, three penalty points or disqualification.