Category: Suffolk County Council

How many times have you driven past a school on your way to work, seen the School Crossing Patrol Officer about to step into the road and thought you could just make it past...?

Suffolk County Council in partnership with other authorities in the Eastern Region is running the annual 'Stop Means Stop' campaign aimed at drivers who fail to stop or who are rude and abusive to School Crossing Patrols.

In the last year the Road Safety Team has received a number of complaints from patrols about the selfish behaviour of some drivers. The complaints about drivers included:


* Failure to stop

* Driving around the Patrol Officer when they are on the road

* Using abusive language

* Threatening the Patrol Officer with physical violence

* Loudly revving the engine while the patrol and children are in the road

Cllr Guy McGregor, Portfolio Holder for Roads and Transport, said; "School Crossing Patrol Officers play a vital role in ensuring school children are provided with a safe route to and from school. They should be able to do this without fear of intimidation and threatening behaviour from inconsiderate motorists.

"It is a legal obligation for motorists to stop for school crossing patrols and drivers who travel through a patrolled area should add a little extra time on to their journey in order to slow down, be prepared and be willing to stop when requested to do so by a Patrol Officer.'

Suffolk County Council is asking for your help to promote the campaign by displaying a sticker in your car available free from the Road Safety Team. Please contact the team on 01473 265006 to request your car sticker or for any further information.