LOLLIPOP men and women could soon be armed with cameras across the county amid concerns for the safety of children at crossings.
Matt Streuli, a lollipop patroller in Slough Road, Iver Heath, caught motorists on camera driving away while he was still standing in position at the crossing – and has reported six similar instances since the summer term began.
The county council now says it is observing pilot schemes in other local authorities for lollipop patrollers to wear cameras to catch ‘drive through’ motorists – before looking at the possibility of exploring its own pilot scheme.
Following the reports from Mr Streuli, Bucks County Council cabinet member for transport, councillor Mark Shaw, visited to observe him in action, helping pupils from Iver Heath Infant and Nursery School cross the road on a Thursday.
Mr Streuli said: “Every day I see half a dozen cars that don’t stop for me.
“My concern is that one day a child will be injured.”
Cllr Shaw said: “It’s important to me that we do all we can to make crossings safe and secure places for our school children to get across the road.
“This is a very busy road, and it’s fantastic that Matt cares so much about the families he sees across. My concern is that he’s able to carry out his duty safely.
“While the use of cameras isn’t current practice, we’re looking carefully at the experiences of another local authority’s pilot scheme with cameras attached to patrollers.
“Our priority is always the safety of the parents, carers and children who use school crossings, and of our dedicated team of crossing patrollers who see them safely across the road.”
Cllr Shaw added the law was clear about the way drivers should behave at school crossings, and they must stop for the patroller and not move until the patroller and children are on the footpath.
A council spokesman added: “There are a lot of questions still unanswered.
“We are looking at what the experiences of the pilot schemes are, as well as what they learn, what they understand and what the outcomes and decisions are.”
Bucks County Council says it is also in contact with Thames Valley Police about the matter. Although the council did not clarify where on a person the cameras would go, it is understood to be concealed within the lollipop signs themselves.
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