Stop. Means. Stop. Campaign

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is launching a new campaign, ‘Stop. Means. Stop.’ with the aim of highlighting the importance of road safety.

The campaign focuses on the law behind school crossing patrols and will reiterate how they keep all pedestrians safe, not just children but adults and the elderly too. Another message of the campaign will be to make sure all school crossing patrol officers are respected.

Failing to stop when signalled at a school crossing is an offence. The council encourages all drivers to be vigilant, to reduce their speed and to be prepared to stop when approaching a school and crossing site, while also remaining patient and considerate.

Councillor John Barrett, portfolio holder for operational services, said: “It is incredibly unfortunate that a minority of drivers refuse to stop and end up intimidating the school crossing patrols. This campaign outlines the correct protocol surrounding school areas, in general. At times, it may be a case of drivers not concentrating as they approach crossings and I would ask that all drivers consider this when next out driving.”

Tudor Jackson, 86, is the oldest school crossing patrol officer in the East Riding and is based in Beverley.

Tudor fully supports the campaign and has had first-hand experience of intimidating threats over the 18 years during which he has been a crossing patrol officer.

When asked why he still does this job, Tudor replied: “I’m a widower, I need a commitment, something to break up the day and I want to do something that will serve the community. I enjoy helping people safely across the road, particularly the unaccompanied children and also the elderly people who use the crossing.”  

Tudor is 87 in December and he is thinking about retiring soon. “I have decided to take early retirement from the ‘Lollipop’ job when I get to 90!”

Julie Turrell, road safety officer, said “Our school crossing patrol officers, who help keep others safe, should not be made to feel intimidated.

“The campaign is trying to highlight the fact there is a person behind the uniform and dangerous actions can and will affect them. ‘Stop. Means. Stop.’ aims to make sure people think twice and respect the rules of the road.”