Road safety scheme launched

It is hoped these bags can be carried by parents and act as a reminder of the importance of ‘stop means stop’

A new road safety scheme has been launched across the borough called ‘stop means stop – respect the lollipop.’

The scheme comes following reports of an increase in the number of vehicles failing to stop at school crossing patrols.

The aim of the scheme is to raise awareness of the rules and regulations regarding school crossing patrols.

There are sixty school crossing patrols across the borough and on average each one suffers from drivers failing to stop when requested by the patrol, every day.

Each school crossing patrol has been supplied with a number of bags for life, carrying the stop means stop, respect the lollipop message.

It is hoped that bags can be carried by parents who use the crossing, and act as a reminder of the importance of ‘stop means stop’.

The lollipop stop sign has 4 stages:

1. Upside down (round end to floor) – patrol not ready to cross pedestrians

2. Horizontal across the body of the patrol, barrier to prevent waiting pedestrians crossing

3. Held out at an angle towards the road, vehicles must be prepared to stop

4. Stop Sign straight up and both arms stretched out across the road, traffic must not move until the patrol has stepped back onto the footpath.

Within the boundaries of the law drivers are classed as “Failed to Stop” from stage 3.

Stuart Howarth, Impact Partnership’s Road Safety Officer said: “Most drivers are surprised to find out that the ‘lollipop sign’ carries the same legal requirement as a red traffic light and once the patrol has displayed the sign drivers are required to stop. The consequences of failing to do so are a £60 fine and 3 fixed penalty points on the drivers licence.”

If you would like to show your support and spread the ‘stop means stop’ message, Impact Partnership have a limited number of bags for life to send out. To show your support contact the School Crossing Service on 01706 924603 or email road.safety@rochdale.gov.uk with your name and full address details and one will be posted to you.