Lollipop lady tackles road rage with cameras
23rd September 2008
One Manchester-based lollipop lady has equipped her pole with hidden cameras in a bid to combat road rage.
Donna Evans fitted the £900 mini-cameras to either side of the poll after suffering whiplash and an injured shoulder when she was mowed down by a vehicle on her crossing at Shaw Heath.
The tiny devices, which will undoubtedly require camera insurance, are activated when the pole hits the road.
She got the idea to equip her pole with the cameras after learning of a Manchester crossing patrol officer who had attached a camcorder to his 'lollipop' for a similar reason.
He was ordered to remove the device as local authorities were unhappy that it changed the shape of the pole, but road safety firm Routesafe reportedly remains enthusiastic about the idea.
Alluding to plans to roll out a nationwide trial of the camera-fitted lollipops, Mrs Evans told the Manchester Evening News: "I think most drivers see us as an inconvenience rather than a necessity.
"The cameras are a brilliant idea. They'll hopefully make people notice we're there for a good reason, and not to make them two minutes late for wherever they've got to get to."