Lollipop Men

[Taxi Driver]

Why do they insist in stopping the traffic as soon as a kid walks upto them, surely it would be better to wait a few seconds to give the kid the feeling of having to wait.

The number of times I've seen the lollipop man stop the traffic when there has only been ONE car approaching instead of letting that car pass.

I've even seen one lollipop man stop a man on his bike instead of letting him pass and then walking out into the then empty road.

Are the told what to do or are they just given a big lollipop and told to be on there way.

[Alikado]

They have instructions, they are supposed to hold the pedestrians until the road is reasonably clear and cross them in batches, the idea is to keep the traffic flowing.
ANY DIFFERANT REPORT THEM!

[Taxi Driver]

They have instructions, they are supposed to hold the pedestrians until the road is reasonably clear and cross them in batches, the idea is to keep the traffic flowing.
ANY DIFFERANT REPORT THEM!

That's what I thought.

A kid would approach, the lollipop man would put them in his/her control, he'd tell them to watch the traffic, once there was a gap in the traffic he/she would make them stop so that the kid can then cross.

When I was a kid back in Manchester the lollipop man would tell you how and how not to cross the road.

[justbecause]

More likely a case of “little man syndrome”, gives them a feeling of power.

[whiplash]

That's what I thought.

A kid would approach, the lollipop man would put them in his/her control, he'd tell them to watch the traffic, once there was a gap in the traffic he/she would make them stop so that the kid can then cross.

When I was a kid back in Manchester the lollipop man would tell you how and how not to cross the road.

They keep our kids,grandkids safe.
So,what is the problem?

[Taxi Driver]

They keep our kids,grandkids safe.
So,what is the problem?

Are they though?

Instead of stopping traffic straight away don't you think they'd be better off holding on for a minimum of 10-15 seconds and telling kids how to cross the road.

From what I've seen is kids being shown how to cross over as soon as they get to the kerb instead of waiting a bit.

[Mr Saxon]

I've seen it all now....
Are you having a slow day or something..?

[Taxi Driver]

I've seen it all now....
Are you having a slow day or something..?

No, didn't you used to be a lollipop man?

The current way isn't teaching the kids how to cross the road like it used to when I was a kid.

Today a kid will approach a lollipop man and straight away the lollipop man will stop the traffic.

If you think that's fine then rock on.

[Mr Saxon]

I still am one. I work at an automated crossing but gradually re-educating kids that it's not fine to just take off at random across a massive junction. Teaching them to go in straight lines across one and then across the other. I still get the odd parent who thinks they're late and I try and convince them not to take the chance while the traffic is still in motion.

This morning a jag driver missed the red light going along the main road and you should have heard the brakes screech....it was like something from The Sweeney. Fortunately there was no one crossing at the time and the traffic in the other direction from the side roads was continuing on its way.

[ausard2]

Wow , why bother if you're running your own
buisness. It's only 45 miñs.

[Alikado]

They keep our kids,grandkids safe.
So,what is the problem?

Not the way they are operating, just sticking the sign into the road to bring traffic to a screeching halt is only going to cause accidents. All too often the child is running ahead of the parent, the crossing patrol stops the traffic and the parent is still 10 or 20 yards behind.

[bongo]

I cant see the point of having them on pelican/zebra crossings as traffic stops anyway .teach them how to use properly and could save the council a small fortune

[Mr Saxon]

I cant see the point of having them on pelican/zebra crossings as traffic stops anyway .teach them how to use properly and could save the council a small fortune

Well there are a few cars and vans that can't see the point of a red light....I have seen many run through a red light and whizz off at speed.

[Alikado]

Well there are a few cars and vans that can't see the point of a red light....I have seen many run through a red light and whizz off at speed.

It's not the Cars or Vans it's the Drivers, the same people who bleat about parking and speeding around their own childrens schools.

[Mr Saxon]

It's not the Cars or Vans it's the Drivers, the same people who bleat about parking and speeding around their own childrens schools.

I'm inclined to agree with you on that one, far too many saying "Oh I'm late" ....Well if you think you're going to be late, get up half an hour earlier. It's not too difficult