DfT celebrates SCP anniversary

The DfT last week celebrated 50 years of school crossing patrols (SCPs), otherwise affectionately known as ‘lollipop’ people.

50 years ago this winter more children were safely helped across roads following the introduction of the School Crossing Patrol Act of 1953. The anniversary coincides with the 50th birthday of the popular bushy tailed road safety character 'Tufty' and the 50th anniversary of the Lookout club, which also falls in November.

There were 797 child fatalities on the roads in 1953, while in 2002 the number killed was 179.

Today there are approximately 30,000 SCPs across the country, and the UK's longest serving SCP has served for 41 years. In 2001 SCPs were given the authority to help adults, as well as children, to cross the road.

"SCPs do a valuable job and their hard work has contributed to a significant decline in child road casualties over the years," road safety minister David Jamieson said. "We have a good road safety record in the UK but we need to improve our record for child injuries and deaths.

"I hope that by highlighting the anniversary we can reinforce the message to children and their parents or guardians of the importance of the famous phrase - stop, look and listen."

To mark the anniversary the DfT has compiled film footage of old road safety TV ads and public information films produced over the years. Celebrities including Ken Dodd, Dave Prowse, Bob Carolgees and SuperTed feature in the ads.