Drivers who ignore lollipop patrols warned to expect fines of up to £2,000

Callous drivers are 'putting lives at risk' by ignoring lollipop patrols near schools.

There have been three separate reports of people flouting the law at schools in Lincoln – including Monks Abbey Primary – in the past fortnight.

One lorry driver, a motorist and, incredibly, a driving instructor, are all said to have shown a blatant disregard for the Highway Code.

Now, a warning has been issued by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, which coordinates school crossing patrols, for irresponsible road users to stop doing this.

And police say they will not hesitate in prosecuting offenders.

"The county council employs about 100 school crossing patrollers whose role is to support families who walk their children to and from schools and of course to protect children," said Greg Burgess, principal road safety co-ordinator at the road safety partnership.

"The sadness is that there's a minority of drivers who choose to abuse school crossing patrollers and ignore what law says simply because they are in a rush.

"If we can identify who these people are we will not hesitate to prosecute, as we have always done.

"All we are asking for is a bit of patience and common sense.

"Driving through a school crossing patrol is careless driving, an offence which can lead to a fine of up to £2,000 plus points.

"If anyone gets knocked down you could be looking at a prison sentence if someone is killed or seriously injured."