‘Stop means STOP’ is the vital safety message being shared with drivers, reminding them of their legal duty to stop when instructed by a school crossing patrol officer.

Lancashire County Council’s Road Safety team took the message directly to communities last week, with road safety sessions taking place at five schools across the county.

Following a successful launch at three schools earlier this year, the campaign is gaining momentum, with more schools across Lancashire taking part today. As well as this, the campaign was also launched across St Helens, Knowsley, the Wirral, Cheshire West, Chester, Warrington and promoted in Greater Manchester.

Lancashire County Council’s Leader, Stephen Atkinson and cabinet member for Transport and Highways, Councillor Warren Goldsworthy attended School Crossing Patrol driver behaviour and road safety sessions outside schools in Langho, Leyland, Rossendale, Lancaster and Poulton.

Officers from the council’s Road Safety and Civil Enforcement teams attended alongside Lancashire Police officers and School Crossing Patrol officers to engage with parents and guardians and passing motorists about road safety, parking and speed.

They were reminded of the law regarding drivers stopping for School Crossing Patrols and were given advice on being a safe and considerate driver, including keeping to safe speeds and responsible parking.

Mark Graham, School Crossing Patrol Co-Ordinator said:

“Lancashire County Council are successfully working with the police to prosecute drivers who fail to stop for our crossing patrol staff. Following these prosecutions, we have seen drivers hit with fines of upto £1,000, three points on their licence and even one driver disqualified.”

(Picture: Lancashire County Council)