Bodycam trial for school crossing patrols in Hertfordshire

The trial was highlighted at a meeting of the full council last week
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Hertfordshire County Council is trialling the use of ‘bodycams’ for school crossing patrols.

The council employs almost 150 men and women to help children – and their parents – to cross busy roads on the way to and from school.

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But there have been times when motorists have failed to stop for a school crossing patrol.

The photo has been used for illustration purposesThe photo has been used for illustration purposes
The photo has been used for illustration purposes

And now it has emerged that the council is conducting a pilot on the use of body-won video cameras.

The trial was highlighted at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, December 15, in a motion submitted by Liberal Democrat Cllr Steve Jarvis.

The Lib Dem motion suggests that bodycams would “significantly ensure that drivers comply with stop requests and reduce any possible intimidation”.

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And it demands an early report into the feasibility of rolling this out across all school crossing patrols.

The motion was not debated at the meeting, but was passed to the council’s highways and environment cabinet panel.

And following the meeting Cllr Steve Jarvis said: “School crossing patrols have told me how on occasions either drivers don’t stop or on occasions abuse the school crossing patrol for asking them to stop.

“At the moment they are expected to write this down in a notebook, but it’s almost impossible for the to do in the circumstances.

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“This would make it easier to deal with the tiny minority of drivers who don’t respect school crossing patrols and what they are doing to keep them safe.”

Confirming the ongoing ‘bodycam’ trial, a spokesperson for the county council said: “Hertfordshire County Council takes the safety of its staff very seriously.

“A pilot scheme using a body-worn video camera is underway following a small number of ‘drive through’ incidents across the county where motorists failed to stop for a patrol.

"The trial continues and will be fully evaluated in the near future.

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“It must be said that the vast majority of road users treat our 148 School Crossing Patrols with the utmost respect and acknowledge the amazing job they do to keep us all safe.

“Failing to stop for a patrol is illegal and can result in three points and a fine of up to £1,000.”