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"STOP MEANS STOP" CAMPAIGN

Suffolk County Council in partnership with other Authorities in the Eastern Region run an annual School Crossing Patrol "Stop Means Stop" campaign. The campaign is specifically targeting drivers who fail to stop for School Crossing Patrols.

Many drivers think they should stop for a school crossing patrol as a matter of courtesy.   However, motorists are legally bound by the 1984 Road Traffic Act to stop for school crossing patrols.

Local Authorities are concerned about the risk to School Crossing Patrol Officers, children and members of the public when drivers fail to stop or behave in an aggressive and intimidating manner. Investigations of reported incidents have resulted in prosecutions. A driver who is prosecuted can receive points on their licence, a substantial fine and as a consequence in some cases lose their licence.

The top five complaints from patrol staff are about drivers who:

•  Failing to stop when instructed to do so.

•  Drive around the patrol while they are in the road crossing children.

•  Use of abusive and threatening language.

•  Threatening the patrol with physical violence.

•  Intimidating the patrol and children by revving their engines and creeping forward.

A spokesman commented, " School Crossing Patrols play an important role in ensuring that children are able to travel to and from school safely. The job of crossing children safely over busy roads at peak times already has its risks and inconsiderate drivers or those ignorant of the law compound these existing dangers. I would ask that drivers travelling through areas where there are schools and where Patrol Officers are operating please allow more time for your journey, to slow down and be ready stop when requested to do so."

Thankfully incidents at Patrol sites are in the minority, but even one such incident or accident is one to many.