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Robo-pop: Lollipop ladies get hi-tech cameras in their headgear and sticks to combat road rage
Last updated at 15:52pm on 01.05.08Many of them face abuse and aggression from drivers every day.
But lollipop men and women have been given a new weapon against reckless or angry motorists.
Video cameras are being built into their lollipop poles.
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Action: Lollipop sticks will have in-built cameras to capture any problems
The cameras are visible so it is hoped they will act a deterrent.
If not, their time-coded footage can used as evidence against offenders.
Around 1,400 incidents were reported to councils last year and dozens of lollipop staff needed hospital treatment after being hit by cars.
They - and the children they are shepherding across roads - are often abused and sworn at.
Some lollipop men and women will use headcams to capture drivers' rage
A number of councils, including Dudley in the Midlands and Kirklees in West Yorkshire, have bought the camera poles, which are being rotated around "lollipop rage" hotspots.
"It's unbelievable that we have to take this action, but the lives of children are at risk from increasing numbers of drivers," said David Sparks of the Local Government Association's transport board.
"Drivers are so selfish that they are willing to put lives at risk by refusing to stop for 30 seconds at a school crossing.
"Councils will do everything in their power to stamp this out. Abuse and intimidation of lollipop men and women who are carrying out a vital service to the community will also not be tolerated.
"Motorists need to be made aware that they are committing a criminal offence and we hope this new technology will prove an effective deterrent."
Under the law, a lollipop patrol should be obeyed in the same way as a traffic light.
Failure to stop for one could mean a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points.
Don Mac-Dougall, road safety officer at Dudley council, said offenders who escaped prosecution could now be taken to court.
"Only a handful of incidents each year end up in prosecutions because it's usually just one person's word against another," he said.
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Big brother: Lollipop ladies have also been fitted with video cameras in their headgear
"The video evidence will obviously provide much stronger evidence, although we are hoping it will be a deterrent rather than anything else."
Kirklees councillor David Hall said: "Our patrols do a fantastic job looking after the safety of children.
"These lollipops will give the patrols peace of mind when stepping into the road."
The camera poles, costing £890, have been developed by Oxfordshire-based company Routesafe.
Reader views (2)
I have no problem stopping for children. I do however object to stopping for the parents going home after dropping their children. Surely, the flow of traffic shouldn't have to stop for fully grown adults
- Jo, London
When I was at school, we had a Lollipop Man who was sweetness and light, until a driver ignored him, at which point he would swing his lollipop pole like a giant axe and swipe the offending car, often leaving spectacular damage. In those less litigious times, nobody made a complaint against him, or if they did it didn't stick.
- Bryan Armstrong, London
