Stop means STOP’ campaign warns North West drivers over school parking

Drivers warned over school parking and crossing patrol rules

Stop means STOP’ campaign warns North West drivers over school parking A new road safety campaign is reminding drivers across the North West that they must stop when instructed to do so by a School Crossing Patrol officer. The ‘Stop means STOP’ message was taken directly into communities on Thursday 17 September, with road safety sessions held at five schools across Lancashire. Drivers reminded about school parking The campaign follows a successful launch at three schools earlier this year and has now expanded to more schools across Lancashire. The message has also been launched across St Helens, Knowsley, the Wirral, Cheshire West, Chester and Warrington, while it has been promoted in Greater Manchester. Lancashire County Council’s Road Safety and Civil Enforcement teams joined Lancashire Police and School Crossing Patrol officers at schools to speak with parents, guardians and passing motorists. Drivers were reminded about their legal duty to stop for School Crossing Patrol officers, alongside advice on safe speeds and responsible parking. The sessions took place at Leyland Methodist, Britannia in Rossendale, St Mary’s in Langho, Moorside in Lancaster and St Chads in Poulton. At St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Langho, School Crossing Patrol officer Jade Martin-Foster described situations where vehicles had failed to stop even while she was in the middle of the road. She said cars had driven around her quickly, creating a potentially dangerous situation for both the patrol officer and the children being helped across the road. Yellow zigzags also highlighted The campaign is also highlighting the importance of responsible parking around schools, including the need for drivers not to park on yellow zigzag markings. St Mary’s headteacher Caroline Boden said the school has around 240 children arriving and leaving at the same time, meaning drivers need to take extra care around the school. She also highlighted the number of prams, pushchairs and young children using the area and urged motorists to be considerate towards other road users and the School Crossing Patrol officer. Cllr Warren Goldsworthy, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for Transport and Highways, said most drivers stop for patrols but a small minority ignore them. The council says it is working with police to prosecute drivers who fail to stop for School Crossing Patrol staff. According to School Crossing Patrol Co-ordinator Mark Graham, prosecutions have resulted in drivers receiving fines of up to £1,000 and three points on their licence, with one driver also being disqualified. Leaflets carrying the ‘Stop means STOP’ message have been distributed at participating schools, alongside large display signs containing road safety information. Parents across Lancashire have also received the campaign material electronically through primary schools. The campaign provides a reminder that school parking is not only about finding a convenient space, with drivers also expected to follow restrictions and take care around children and crossing patrol officers. With the message now being promoted across several North West areas, motorists are being urged to stop when instructed and park responsibly around schools.