Lollipop ladies in Hillingdon are to become the latest authority figures to carry personal video cameras in an attempt to combat threatening and intimidating behaviour from drivers.
Hillingdon has bought three ‘lollipop cams’ which will then rotate around the borough. Council officials say their school crossing patrols routinely encounter drivers who rev engines, display abusive behaviour and even drive around the patrol when people are crossing.
Cllr Keith Burrows, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, said: “Motorists need to be made aware that stop really does mean stop and they are committing a criminal offence if they don’t. Those who don’t stop are putting the lives of children, parents and our patrols in danger. We hope that the new technology will prove an effective deterrent to help stamp this out.”
The council says there were 1400 incidents of abuse against School Cross Patrols across the country last year, some of which left “dozens of staff” needing hospital treatment after being hit by cars which failed to stop.
Other council’s which have deployed the new lollipops have reported a reduction in regular abuse and intimidation.
Drivers who fail to stop for a crossing patrol are being reminded they face a fine of £1000 fine, three penalty points on their license or disqualification.
Lee Fairbrother from Routesafe, who are providing the new sticks, said: “We have been very impressed with Hillingdon Council’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users at their school crossings and taking the lead in London in rolling out this scheme.”
