In an attempt to combat the threatening beahviour by some motorists, lollipop ladies will now hold sticks containing a hidden camera.
The cameras will be built into the black strip of the lollipop signs or contained inside the patrol hats and will be capable of recording any abusive behaviour from drivers.
This action follows after 1,400 lollipop rage incidents were reported to the council last year. Many lollipop men and women have been injured after being hit by cars, and they have also suffered regular abuse and intimidation.
The Local Government Association commented this week saying: “lives of children are at risk from increasing numbers of selfish drivers refusing to stop for 30 seconds at a school crossing."
“We’ll do everything in our power to stamp this out. Motorists need to be aware they are committing a criminal offence."
“We hope this new technology will prove an effective deterrent."
One of the first lollipop ladies to use the hat-mounted camera this week was Val Atkins, aged 63, at her pitch in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
Car queues outside DIY stores could halt traffic this weekend
Ford Mondeo drivers pound out more motorway miles than other drivers, says survey
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A survey revealed this week that 7 per cent of women drivers have had an accident whilst on a school run in the past 5 years.
Results also showed that 2 per cent more men have had an accident than women, and that women were more likely to have a crash in the morning as opposed to on the evening run.
The survey conducted by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance on 2,016 adults aged 16-64 studied car accidents involving male and female drivers delivering or picking up children from school.
A total of 15 per cent of school-run motorists also admitted to having driven a young person to school without the child being properly restrained.
Some of the reasons drivers gave for erratic or poor driving included, the fear of being late for jobs or an appointment, traffic congestion and being distracted by children.
Sainsbury’s Car Insurance manager Joanne Mallon said: "The school run can be very stressful for drivers. Busy roads, children being noisy in the back seat, and the worry of being late for school or work can all lead to stress that can affect people’s driving. What is most concerning about our findings is that a significant number of people are currently not ensuring their children are properly secured in the car."
London based motorists were more likely than any other area to have a school-run crash whereas the East Midlands and West Midlands’ drivers were found to be the "safest" school-run motorists.
For further information, please visit: www.sainsburys.co.uk
Petrol costs will rise within days - road tax goes up, too
World oil prices may reach new record highs, sending pump prices spiralling by the autumn
Motorists urged to avoid panic buying following the strike at Scottish refinery yesterday.
The strike at Grangemouth - the third largest refinery in Britain- was caused by the Union and Ineos failing to come to an agreement over the company’s proposals to close the final-salary pension scheme to new staff.
Production stopped at Scotland’s only oil refinery at 6am yesterday morning and since then, there has been no sign of fuel shortages.
According to figures issued by Alex Salmond, the Scottish First Minister, only five petrol stations out of a total 956 ran out of oil yesterday, and with Scotland receiving 65,000 tonnes of fuel from Sweden and the Netherlands, it is thought that fuel supplies will be maintained.
Tom Crotty, the chief executive of Ineos, has said that he expects the oil refinery to be up and running within days, but with the strike affecting over 70 oilfields and 80 companies, there are fears that a full recovery could take up to several weeks.
The two-day strike is due to end today and it has been estimated that the action will have cost the UK up to £50 million per day in lost revenue.
Fleet of seven ships to dock at Scottish ports and keep forecourt supplies flowing
Introducing the latest addition to the Vauxhall Tigra range is the stylish Sport Rouge which is now on sale at dealerships throughout the country.
The Tigra Sport Rouge unveils a new-look for its dynamic drop top and replaces the Sport model with an eye-catching Bordeaux red coloured roof.
The new roof is designed to appeal to those who like a fabric soft top but also require the safety and security which comes with a hard top, and as with all Tigras, the roof can be raised or lowered in a just 20 seconds.
The Tigra Sport Rouge is available in four body colours - Metro Blue, Star Silver, Flame Red or Black Sapphire - and comes as standard with central locking, electrically adjustable door mirrors, CD player and steering wheel mounted controls. Also standard are 16” alloy wheels, an aux-in MP3 player jack and Sports seats.
Prices for the Tigra Sport Rouge range from £15,705 to £17,195. For further information, visit: www.vauxhall.co.uk
Despite walkout there’s plenty of fuel, says garages, and no reason for price rises
