Cornwall cracks down on SCP abuse

Cornwall County Council Road Safety Unit launched a countywide STOP means STOP for the Lollipop campaign in Truro on 16 November.

The initiative follows a recent survey, which revealed that many drivers are not stopping for patrols at patrol sites, including light controlled crossings. There are 123 sites across Cornwall, over a dozen of which are on pelican or puffin crossings.    

"School Crossing Patrols perform a vital duty, ensuring children cross safely when they travel to and from school," said county road safety officer Joan Mallard. "We ask drivers to be mindful of the important job our patrols do and to help them, not hinder them."

Patrols are suffering an increase in threatening behaviour and dangerous driving while operating their crossings. The aim of the campaign is to target drivers who fail to stop for, or are rude and abusive to SCPs.

"It takes two minutes for children to cross a road safely with a SCP and a little patience from drivers while they wait at a safe distance - less time than it takes for a kettle to boil," said SCP Susan Herbert. "We have to cross young children over busy roads at peak times and do not need the added worry of watching out for selfish drivers who could put ours or the children's lives at risk."

For further information contact Wendy Rizza:
wrizza@cornwall.gov.uk.