Lollipop people body cameras now record abusive and dangerous drivers in parts of Britain as school crossing patrols face rising road rage.
Suffolk County Council has given body-worn cameras to patrol staff in Ipswich. The cameras record drivers who ignore stop signs, abuse staff, or endanger children.
Mike Brooks, the council’s safer active travel manager, said abuse of crossing patrols had become a national problem. He said camera footage had helped police issue warnings and fines.
Lynne Gorrara, 61, has worked as a lollipop person in Ipswich for 10 years. She said some motorists had driven towards patrols at speeds of up to 50mph while children crossed.
Michelle Whinney, 57, said driver behaviour had worsened over the past four to five years. She said some motorists punched steering wheels or made abusive gestures after short stops.
Home Office data showed police recorded more than 3.5 million motoring offences in England and Wales in 2024. That was the highest figure since records began.
Department for Transport figures showed child road danger has also increased. The average number of under-16s killed or seriously injured in England rose from 1,884 in 2017-2019 to 2,204 in 2022-2024.
