Motorists face fines and penalty points as council cracks down on drivers ignoring lollipop patrols

Drivers have been urged to take more care around school crossing patrols after two lollipop crossing attendants were struck by vehicles in nearby Coventry.

Warwickshire County Council has issued an urgent warning after reports that some motorists are ignoring crossing patrol officers, putting children and staff at risk.

The council said most drivers follow the rules, but a growing number are failing to stop when patrol officers display their signs, while some also reported being verbally abused.

Its Road Safety Education team is now reminding drivers that they have a legal duty to stop when instructed by a school crossing patrol.

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Rosalie Taylor, senior road safety officer at Warwickshire County Council, said there was "no excuse" for motorists who fail to comply.

She 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."

The warning follows a rise in incidents involving drivers ignoring patrol officers despite them wearing high-visibility clothing and carrying clearly marked stop signs.

Council officials warned that some crossing patrol staff have experienced aggressive behaviour from drivers unwilling to wait while children and other pedestrians cross safely.

Councillor Stephen Shaw, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, stressed that school crossing patrol officers have the same authority as police officers when stopping traffic.

He said: "The Council is committed to making our roads a safe place for children and other pedestrians, and our patrols are a vital community asset in 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."

He warned that drivers who ignore patrol officers are putting "vulnerable road users and our staff at risk" and that School Crossing Patrols are instructed to report any driver who fails to stop to the police, which could result in prosecution.

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In response to the increase in incidents, Warwickshire County Council has started equipping crossing patrol officers with body-worn cameras.

The cameras will record drivers who fail to stop or behave aggressively, and can be passed to Warwickshire Police through the force's Op Snap reporting system.

Motorists caught committing moving traffic offences could face a £70 fine and three penalty points on their driving licence.

The council also confirmed that any driver or cyclist who passes through a crossing while a patrol officer is displaying a stop sign may be reported to police.

The rules apply to cyclists as well as motorists, with all road users legally required to obey the stop sign carried by school crossing patrol officers.

Motorists should slow down when approaching areas where crossing patrols operate, watch out for warning signs or flashing lights and be prepared to stop as soon as a patrol officer raises their sign.

Vehicles must remain stationary until the patrol officer and pedestrians have crossed safely and the officer has returned to the pavement.

Stopping in areas marked "School Keep Clear" is prohibited and can create dangerous conditions for children trying to cross the road.

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