It has been launched after incidents involving crossing patrol officers being abused, and following the trial of a small number of body-worn cameras which has resulted in successful prosecutions their use will now be rolled out across the county.
Incidents include:
- An officer in Cliff Lane, Ipswich, was verbally abused by a teenage cyclist on two consecutive afternoons after she politely asked him to dismount from his bike and walk in front of her so she could keep traffic stopped to allow him to cross
- An officer in St Margarets Road, Lowestoft, was verbally abused by a man who then spat on the footpath towards her
- An officer working outside Felixstowe school on Maidstone Road had stopped traffic to allow children and parents to cross the road safely when a hurled abuse at a couple in a small red car in front and the officer
Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 motorists must stop when signalled by a school crossing patrol or risk a fine up to £1,000 and incur three penalty points.
In more serious cases a driving ban can also be incurred.
The Highway Code also states that when the patrol steps into the road with the stop sign upright, drivers must stop to let pedestrians cross safely.
Although mostly associated with helping children cross the road safely, school crossing patrol officers have the legal authority to stop traffic for any pedestrian, not just pupils travelling to and from school.
The six-week awareness campaign will run across Suffolk and includes:
- Advertising on the back of buses around Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft
- Radio advertisements on Heart Suffolk
- Video content featuring crossing patrol officers sharing why they value their role in keeping communities safe
- Targeted social media advertising
Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Transport Strategy, said: “We’ve launched ‘Lollipops Aren’t Just For Children’ to remind drivers to slow down, be patient and show respect at patrol points.
“While most drivers follow the rules, some continue to ignore stop signals and verbally abuse crossing patrol officers, people - including children – using the crossing, and other motorists who are doing what they are supposed to.
“This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and by launching this awareness campaign to remind people of their responsibilities, together we can help make Suffolk’s roads safer for everyone.”
The campaign supports Suffolk County Council’s wider road safety and active travel strategy which encourages residents to walk, wheel or cycle for local journeys or as part of a longer one.
School crossing patrol officers play a vital role in enabling safer streets and supporting active travel for residents across Suffolk.
