Harrogate Borough Council

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School Crossing Patrols (or 'Lollipop' people as they are often known), provide a beneficial service to many children (and indeed adults), helping them cross the roads safely on their way to and from school each day.

 

In the Harrogate area, there are twenty three sites where crossing patrols work, of which five are currently vacant.

 

The legislation that allows school crossing patrols to operate originally came into force in 1953, and a series of celebratory events were held in 2003 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of this Act.

 

As you can imagine, the volume of traffic has increased somewhat since 1953, and as a result, the role of the patrol has changed to reflect this (in the 1930's, there were 2.4 million vehicles on the road, today the figure is well over ten times that!). Today, all patrols wear high visibility clothing, which is both more practical and conspicuous than the white dust coats originally worn by patrols.

 

The design of the 'stop sign' used by patrols has also changed several times. It started out as a large rectangular board on a pole which read 'STOP CHILDREN CROSSING' on a white pole, and through several incarnations, has become the current red, yellow and black, circular sign on a black and yellow striped pole.

 

 

The legislation which governs the operation of the school crossing patrol service, states that traffic must stop when the patrol exhibits the stop sign, and then must remain stationary whilst the sign is being exhibited. To simplify things for all concerned, patrols are trained to only 'exhibit' the sign (hold it with the head upper most) when they require traffic to stop, at all other times, the sign will be held with the head either towards the ground (when waiting for pedestrians to arrive at the crossing point), or with the sign and pole parallel with the ground when pedestrians are waiting to cross the road and it is not safe to stop traffic. In this position, the sign and pole act as a barrier to prevent children stepping into the road in front of approaching traffic.

 

Despite the advances in the conspicuity of the uniform and equipment used by patrols, some drivers still fail to stop (to allow the patrol and pedestrians to cross the road) when they are required to. This obviously makes the act of crossing the road more dangerous for the patrol and pedestrians. Any incidents of drivers failing to stop for a school crossing patrol when required to, will be fully investigated, and reported to the police for the appropriate action to be taken. This can include a court prosecution with a fine and penalty points for those found guilty.

 

Many schools have yellow 'zig-zag' 'Keep Clear' markings painted on the road outside them, and if possible, the patrol will operate within their length. These markings are designed to create an area free from parked vehicle which would otherwise prevent both pedestrians crossing the road, and motorists approaching the crossing point, being able to see each other. If you do have to park in the vicinity of a school, especially during the times when children are going into, or leaving school, could you please remember to keep the zig-zag markings clear? This may be inconvenient for you as an individual, but it will make everyone else's life safer, and as such, surely this justifies the extra effort on your part?

 

The school crossing patrol service in the Harrogate area, is operated by the North Yorkshire County Council. Should you like any further information about the service, or be interested in applying for a job as a crossing patrol, please contact the area School Crossing Patrol Officer, Andy Scaife on 01904 628746.