Stop Means Stop: Crackdown on drivers who drive dangerously outside schools
Vulnerable pedestrians, including children, are being put at risk of serious injury or death by motorists who ignore the commands of the borough’s street crossing patrol officers.
Now Hackney Council is telling motorists: ‘Stop Means Stop – Share the Road’ as part of a new safety campaign to coincide with the start of the new school term when there are more drivers on the roads and children on the street.
The officers, traditionally known as lollipop men and women because of the ‘stop stick’ they carry, help vulnerable pedestrians across the road, and are generally stationed close to schools.
But there are ongoing problems with some drivers who are putting lives at risk by failing to stop when told to do so.
The penalties for motorists who do not stop are clear: up to £1,000 fine; three penalty points; and disqualification
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, said: “The crossing patrol officers in Hackney perform an extremely important community role and are vital to ensuring pedestrians are kept safe.
“The first priority of any officer is the safety of pedestrians crossing the road and our officers here in Hackney have an exemplary record of safe-keeping.
“However, there are some drivers who have not been respecting the stop sign, which is not only selfish and illegal but downright dangerous and could easily lead to an injury or fatality.
“This is why we are launching this campaign urging all drivers stop when instructed to do so and to share the roads safely with everyone.”
The Council, supported by the police, kicked-off the campaign outside Sir Thomas Abney School, in Fairholt Road, Stoke Newington - which is close to a busy junction - during the Wednesday afternoon rush-hour.
There, children wrote and drew road safety messages on a community board which will be put up outside the school to remind motorists of the rules of the road and to keep safety in mind.
The campaign will be visiting schools across the borough in the coming weeks.