DRIVERS are being urged to put the brakes on at school crossings.
Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Education team is issuing a plea to all drivers to stop when a School Crossing Patrol displays their ‘Stop’ sign.
It may seem obvious to most good drivers who are law abiding, courteous and stop as instructed, but shockingly, not every driver puts the safety of vulnerable road users, especially children, above their own needs.
Recently, two school crossing patrols were hit by cars in neighbouring Coventry, and WCC is reminding drivers to be responsible and lawful. It only takes a few minutes for a patrol to enter the road and cross pedestrians, and drivers and being reminded to please stop.
School crossing patrols in Warwickshire, in their high visibility uniforms and warning signs, have seen a worrying increase in the number of incidents of drivers not stopping when instructed and even abuse and aggression.
Rosalie Taylor, senior road safety officer at WCC, said: “By law, as soon as a School Crossing Patrol raises their sign, even if they have not stepped into the road, motorists must be prepared to stop if it is safe to do so. There is no excuse for not stopping.”
WCC transport spokesman Coun Stephen Shaw said the council was committed to making the county’s roads a safe place for children and other pedestrians and the patrols were a vital to that.
“It is essential that motorists understand that it is an offence not to stop when a School Crossing Patrol displays the Stop sign. They have the same authority as a police officer to stop traffic. Failing to stop puts vulnerable road users and our staff at risk. Our School Crossing Patrols are instructed to report any driver who fails to stop to the Police, which could result in prosecution.”
What do drivers need to know?
Slow down when they see a school crossing patrol warning sign or flashing lights and be prepared to stop.
Stop when the school crossing patrol raises and displays the Stop sign.
Be patient and do not move forward until the patrol has returned to the pavement
Do not park or stop where the school crossing patrol works, on zig-zag lines and never park, pullover or wait on ‘School Keep Clear’ road markings.
Due to the increasing rise in incidents, WCC can now issue body worn cameras to patrols, to capture drivers who fail to stop when indicated. This evidence can be passed onto Warwickshire Police via Op Snap. If the driver has committed a moving traffic offence, they could receive a fine and three penalty points.
More information about school crossing patrols in Warwickshire can be found at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolcrossingpatrols
