RSL-4 demonstration

Bath and North east Somerset Council have purchased further RSL-4 lollipop systems as a result of their recent successful trials.  Manager Irene Stewart says ” I am extremly pleased with the performance of the new RSL-4 lollipops.  The clarity of images gathered is great and we feel very confident with the deployment of these poles around the authority”

Police Endorse the use of Lollipop cameras to catch bad drivers

The scheme – one of the first of its kind in the UK – will target drivers who fail to stop at crossings or threaten and abuse patrols and children.

“It’s astounding enough that drivers are so impatient that they drive through a school crossing patrol, but then they sometimes shout abuse and threaten our dedicated lollipop people too,” said Cllr Carol Dean, county council cabinet member for road safety.

“It’s so shocking and frightening that it’s often difficult for the crossing patrol officer to remember the details needed for a prosecution.

Last year, Staffordshire schools reported more than 50 failures to stop and experienced many more, where drivers ploughed through the crossing patrol.

But only one resulted in prosecution because of lack of evidence.

Cameras mounted on lollipops will mean crossing officers will be able to capture rogue drivers on film and get the evidence straight to police and downloaded into the system.

A few other councils have put cameras in hats, but the lollipop has been deemed a better place by the council.

Staffordshire has more than 350 crossing patrols but the number of cameras being deployed will be kept secret as part of the deterrent – although all locations will be published on the internet.

“As far as we are aware, this is the first example of police and a county council working together on the implementation and use of these cameras,” said Inspector Dave Edge, head of body-worn video for Staffordshire Police.

“Failing to stop at a crossing not only endangers the patrol but puts children and other adults at risk.

“The recordings from these cameras is admissible in court as evidence so drivers who fail to stop have nowhere to hide.

“We will prosecute where drivers fail to stop when a crossing patrol asks them to do so.”

Procedures already in place ensure ‘continuity of evidence’, so there is no danger of a case being thrown out of court on a technicality.

“We can also use the video and audio recordings where drivers have verbally abused the crossing patrol,” added Insp Edge.

“Where this amounts to a public order offence we will also pursue that using this technology.”

Richard Clark, of Stockport’s road safety team, said: “Drivers need to be aware that they can be caught on camera and fined.

“It’s always unacceptable to jump lights and cause traffic jams, but even more so when there are children around.”

See the clip in full at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YboBsUi7Nw  

A big thank you to all our evaluation Kit users!

Direct feedback from our evaluation kit users has allowed us to launch RSL-4 ahead of program.  Although complying with DfT guidelines for crossing poles RSL-3 was over 400grams heavier than most SCP sticks. 

RSL-4 is now the same weight as conventional steel poles. 

Additionally,  the new pole has higher resolution and better optics than RSL-3 as well as easier to use operating software.

Routesafe are offering trade-up deals to all existing users, please contact us directly to arrange yours.

A LOLLIPOP lady wants cameras in lollipop sticks to combat dangerous motorists.

 Sylvia Everest believes they will help catch drivers who think nothing of speeding, not stopping or talking on their mobile phones in Queenborough Road, where she supervises children crossing near Halfway Houses Primary School.  She wants to follow the example of Sussex County Council which is giving serious thought to the idea. Sylvia made an appeal for cameras to Kent County Council last September but is yet to hear anything.

She said: “If Sussex is doing it why can’t Kent? I’m sure every lollipop in Kent has a near miss nearly every day. They ought to be taken more seriously”

“The police come and stand with me every so often because people don’t stop for me and the cars go too fast.”

Kent County Council spokesman Kate Nowowiecki said:  “School crossing patrols play an important role in keeping children safe as they travel to and from school. The results of pilot schemes from other areas are expected later this year and we will be looking at those findings.”

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