Drivers ignore school crossing patrols
Drivers are putting the lives of children and school crossing patrols at risk by ignoring the `stop’ sign in Croft Road in Nuneaton.
The area has seen an increase in the number of `drive throughs’ as motorists ignore school crossing patrols.
Officials from Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit and the Police are pleading with drivers to obey the order to stop when they see a School Crossing Patrol – failing to do so could result in a £1000 fine, 3 penalty points and a ban from driving if the matter goes to court.
Sandra Barton, School Crossing Patrol Supervisor, said: “It’s unbelievable – some drivers just don’t seem to realise they are not only putting the Patrol’s life in danger, but the children they cross too. My patrols have reported cars swerving through sites even when the patrols and children are actually in the road.
“The site at Croft Road has become so dangerous that we have had to put two School Crossing Patrols on the road, but even this does not deter drivers who are determined to flout the law.”
School Crossing Patrols, the Police and Traffic Wardens are the only people who are legally allowed to stop traffic.
Stan Milewski, Warwickshire County Council’s Senior Road Safety Officer, said: “Drivers who do drive-through don’t realise that their details are recorded and handed to the Police for investigation. Repeat offenders will almost certainly be caught – it’s just not worth it.
“Another problem on the increase is the verbal abuse that is directed at our Patrols – many parents dropping children off at school near a patrol site don’t realise that they are obstructing views. When asked to move by Patrols, they sometimes receive a torrent of abuse. We’re actually loosing patrols because of this.”
There are also other sites with similar problems including:
Church Road, Stockingford
Park Lane, Nuneaton
Victoria Road, Nuneaton
Church Lane, Hartshill