Warning over Pembrokeshire school road crossings

11:38am Friday 21st November 2008

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Motorists in Pembrokeshire are being warned that they are breaking the law if they don’t stop when ordered to do so by school patrol crossing officers.

The warning comes after a patrol officer in the south of the county had to snatch a child out of the way of a car that ignored an order to stop.

The car’s number plate was noted and the incident is being investigated by police.

In another incident, also in south Pembrokeshire, a driver ignored a patrol officer’s order to stop and narrowly missed a group of adult pedestrians.

School crossing patrol officers are among the few people who can stop traffic by law. Legislation introduced in 2001 means they can help all pedestrians – even if there are no children present.

"Although they are primarily there to help children, patrol officers can help anybody who seeks their help when they are on duty," said Councillor Jamie Adams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Planning. "When a patrol displays their stop sign, motorists must stop, in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1980."

The maximum penalty for not doing so is £60 and/or three discretionary penalty points on the driver’s licence (depending on the severity of the incident).

John Gobbi, Road Safety Officer for Pembrokeshire County Council, said lives are being put at risk from the actions of a small number of drivers.

"School crossing patrols are there for a very important reason," he said. "They are to safeguard children and anybody else who wishes to cross the road at that point."

"I urge drivers to comply with law and stop when ordered to do so."