The campaign, spearheaded by the council's school crossing patrols manager Mel Dawkins, is aimed at getting motorists to stop when required to by SCPs. Motorists convicted of failing to stop for crossing patrols face three penalty points on their licence and large fines.

The council is joining a national drive to tackle the issue by distributing posters across the city. Council vehicles will also carry the posters over the next three months enabling the campaign to get closer to motorists.

The council already has city-wide safer routes to school and school safety projects underway. But the council is also keen to get drivers to take more notice of its 37-strong team of school crossing patrols stationed on key routes outside city primary schools.

Mel Dawkins, the council's school crossing patrols manager, said, "This is a national problem but unfortunately, we are getting a lot of drivers in York going through the crossings which is not only dangerous in itself but also put people off wanting to do the job.

"We want to remind people that they are breaking the law by ignoring the crossing patrol. We have successfully prosecuted motorists in the past and we will continue to pursue this issue in the courts if necessary.

"Many drivers are either going too fast or don't see the patrol. A lot of them will have children themselves and we would like them to think about the possible consequences of their behaviour."

Councillor Janet Looker, the council's executive member for education, is launching the new poster campaign tomorrow (Thursday, January 30) at Huntington Primary School.

She said, "The council is committed to increasing road safety around the city's schools and every school works closely with our transport team on things like safe routes to school and improving measures immediately outside. This campaign is aimed at reminding motorists of their responsibility to slow down around schools and stop when requested by our patrols."

The council's recent school travel survey revealed that the fear of traffic danger outside schools was common with most school children listing it as a key concern.

Mr Dawkins believes the attitude of motorists is one of the reasons why there is a national problem recruiting people to become SCPs. In York there are currently eight vacancies. Anyone interested in becoming an SCP should contact Mel on 07909 685095.

The council's campaign is being backed by the Guild of Experienced Motorists (GEM). GEM's David Williams said this week, "Some motorists refuse to stop for patrols - they do not slow down and show courtesy to the patrol person. "Many believe they have no legal obligation to obey but this is not the case and we are seeing more prosecutions as drivers refuse to heed the command to stop."

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