UK "Lollipop" traffic rage fight goes technical

By Andrew Hough

LONDON (Reuters) - British school traffic crossing helpers are being armed with new high-tech weapons in a bid to fight a growing number of so-called "lollipop" rage incidents.

Lollipops are the "Stop" signs carried by the yellow-jacketed men and women who help children to cross the road at the ubiquitous zebra-striped pedestrian crossings near schools. Trouble is, many drivers fail to heed them and some become downright aggressive.

Now the signs are to be fitted with miniature cameras, one facing forward and the other backwards, to trap offenders, the Local Government Association (LGA) announced.

Authorities say both monitors and children are being subjected to a growing amount of threatening behavior, intimidation and swearing, especially during morning rush hour.

Motoring groups warned that measures needed to be put in place to ensure innocent motorists were not unfairly targeted.

Latest figures show there were more than 1,400 reported "lollipop-rage" incidents last year.

The high-tech signs, developed by a private firm and costing almost 900 pounds each, are likely to be introduced across the country in the coming months after more than 150 councils expressed interest, an LGA spokeswoman said.

Under British law, a lollipop stop sign has the same legal power as a red traffic light, with failure to abide resulting in a 1,000 pound ($1,969) fine and a three-point driving licence penalty.