Lollipop Men And Women

[jambutty]

It has emerged that lollipop men and women are being harangued and abused by impatient motorists, so much so that now some wear a camera in the hat and in some places there are now two lollipop people on duty at a time.

We heard tales of motorists leaping out of their cars and confronting the lollipop person with threats like wrapping the lollipop stick around the person’s neck.

This really is a sad reflection of our times. The lollipop people are there to aid out kids cross the road on the way to and from school and no doubt would have saved countless lives and injuries over the years.

But when you consider that far too many motorists seem to think that when the traffic lights change to read it really means, “foot down, head down and hope” and bent on gaining a few seconds to waste at the next set of traffic lights, it is hardly surprising that lollipop people have become a target for the utterly selfish motorist.

Although there will always be the odd lollipop person taking a fiendish delight in stopping traffic on a whim, in the main I think that they do a valuable job and do so with due concern for all road users.

[Bonnyboy]

Originally Posted by jambutty

in the main I think that they do a valuable job

I can’t argue with that, guess someone will though.

[BERNADETTE]

Isn't it a sad reflection of the world we live in that it has come to lollipop men/women having to carry cameras? I agree they do a good job of helping our kids and probably saving quite a few lives to boot.

[katex]

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

I can’t argue with that, guess someone will though.

Doubt it Bonnyboy .. let them try ...

I listened to this too, and was appalled by the abuse these people have to put up with, V-signs, spitting, verbal abuse, physical threats, etc. They are trained in how to deal with it, basically, just ignore and, if possible, report the incident later.

Seems the trial on these cameras have cut down the abuse, so can only be a good thing.

Two complaints they receive were of showing only one child across the road at a time but, obviously, could be waiting a good 10 minutes to 15 minutes before another child requires escorting across the road, and the child waiting may become impatient and run across themselves.

Showing groups of parents across, who had dropped their children off at school and on the return journey. The Lollipot lady did explain that they were allowed to do this. The worst offenders were parents who were dropping their kids off BY CAR at the same primary school !! Can you imagine !!

Loved the one with the Blackburn Lollipop man who was being given a load of verbal, but the good old Northern mothers soon showed their disapproval of his behaviour.

[Lilly]

I would hate to do the job of lollipop lady.

I wouldn't last 5 minutes. There are so many rude and abusive people out there who can't bear to have to stop for a few seconds to let children cross the road.

I couldn't stand it.

[Gayle]

If your route takes you past a lollipop man or woman and that annoys you then you have a couple of choices - either set off five minutes earlier so that stopping doesn't bother you or find another route.

Lollipop men/women do a fantastic job and if you've ever seen a child cross a road when there wasn't a lollipop man/woman there you'll know how important they are.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Gayle

Lollipop men/women do a fantastic job

Yours is ok, he does however stop the cars for just one child when you can see another not far away. I have seen terrible jams outside the school and instead of holding the kids back for 2 minutes so the cars/buses can sort themselves out he keeps stopping them.

In short he is usually ok but can sometimes be a menace

[jambutty]

Originally Posted by Neil

Yours is ok, he does however stop the cars for just one child when you can see another not far away. I have seen terrible jams outside the school and instead of holding the kids back for 2 minutes so the cars/buses can sort themselves out he keeps stopping them.

In short he is usually ok but can sometimes be a menace

How is a lollipop person to know that a kid not far away will be wanting to cross the road at that point?

Most lollipop people are responsible people who will make a judgement whether to wait for more kids to arrive or send just the one or two across safely.

The real problem is with some motorists. Cocooned in their steel box they think that they have right of way come what may.

Contrary to some reports by irate motorists the lollipop people do not jump out in front of the traffic waving their lollipop. The one’s that I have seen wait until there is a bit of a gap in the traffic flow and then poke the lollipop into the road signifying that the next car should stop. Then s/he steps out into the road. Even if that one does stop the traffic on the other side of the road carries on roaring through.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by jambutty

How is a lollipop person to know that a kid not far away will be wanting to cross the road at that point?

I would have thought the school uniform was a big give away

And of course the fact that the same children cross everyday while wearing that school uniform

[katex]

Originally Posted by Neil

Yours is ok, he does however stop the cars for just one child when you can see another not far away. I have seen terrible jams outside the school and instead of holding the kids back for 2 minutes so the cars/buses can sort themselves out he keeps stopping them.

In short he is usually ok but can sometimes be a menace

Well, IN SHORT, darling Neil, if I ever had the inclination to hand out bad karma would be for this post.

See Jambutty has beaten me to it.

Everybody has the right to proceed on foot to their destination, motorists have no rights as such .. 'tis just a privilege to drive. Children get agitated at waiting even for 2 minutes, and a danger they may bolt across. Like Gayle said if you are in a regular run, where you know there is a Lollipop crossing, set out 5 minutes earlier ... not difficult is it.

Sod the motorists, protect our children.

Lilly: 'Tis a difficult and responsible job and understand why you would wish not to do it ... good to see that they are mentioned in the Honour's List now and then.. well deserved.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by katex

Everybody has the right to proceed on foot to their destination, motorists have no rights as such .. 'tis just a privilege to drive. Children get agitated at waiting even for 2 minutes

I do hope you did not teach your lad that he has the right to cross the road and the car will stop.

I do not have a problem with lollypop people - they do a good and required job. Just that sometimes a little thought is required. I often speak with ours on Fielding Lane and know the problems she has with some drivers.

No child that can't wait for 2 minutes to cross the road should not be holding a parents hand in the first place so that should not be an issue.

I must be one of the most responsible drivers around schools - I not only question drivers that park on zig zags but I report them to the Police almost weekly.

[katex]

Originally Posted by Neil

I do hope you did not teach your lad that he has the right to cross the road and the car will stop.


Of course I didn't .. his safety was my priority !! Was the Green Man then ! Quite ironic really, my lad is now a Transport Planning Consultant, concentrating on all aspects of road Transport including the safety of all road users.


No child that can't wait for 2 minutes to cross the road should not be holding a parents hand in the first place so that should not be an issue.

Don't understand this Neil.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Just done this 'cause message too short ..LOL

[Neil]

Originally Posted by katex

No child that can't wait for 2 minutes to cross the road should not be holding a parents hand in the first place so that should not be an issue.

Don't understand this Neil.

I was trying to say that impatient young kids will be safe because they are with their parents

[Eric]

Hey, I figured out "lollipop men and women" all by myself without the aid of a translator. But this whole thing is really outrageous; hard to believe it happens. In Kingston and area there are school crossing guards at all intersections near schools; and I have never heard of any incidents like the ones I'm reading about here. Unbelievable. Added to that we have hundreds of school buses transporting kids; and when they stop, and the flashing lights go on, it is illegal to pass them ... all traffic has to stop. Failure to stop results in a fine of up to $5000; repeat offenders can face jail time. But never have I heard of any problem at guarded school crossings.

[Neil]

Thats because you all carry sidearms