BBC News | UK | Getting cross at the crossings

Traffic patrols in Teeside are being urged to report abusive drivers after a sharp increase in "lollipop rage".

The problem of people abusing or ignoring the patrols has got so bad in Redcar that the local council is having problems recruiting enough people to do the job.

One female warden in Derby recently complained that she had hot coffee thrown at her by an irate driver.

A recent survey of London's 400 wardens by Unison, the public sector union, found that one in 10 had been a victim of violence and 9% had been attacked in the past year.

Cleveland council authority is now organising training courses to help their remaining wardens deal with aggressive situations.

Sign of the times

Experts say it is an indication of our increasingly violent society that members of the public become aggressive while driving or travelling on public transport.

Professor Stephen Palmer is director of the London-based Centre for Stress Management.

I would say it is happening somewhere in the country every day

Sylivia Burton, Lollipop Lady
"People are under a lot of pressure and they have started to demand things more.

"Instead of making a car journey and thinking it would be nice to arrive with having no problems, they demand that nothing should go wrong."

Mr Palmer believes attacks on lollipop wardens and other public personnel are "outrageous".

He suggests motorists should try relaxation techniques to calm down a bit.

But that is of little comfort to Sylvia Burton, who has been a lollipop lady for 20 years.

She says the things have definitely got worse.

"People are abusing me all the time. A couple of times cars have driven straight past me, it scary.

"I have had my coat marked cars have been so close to me.

"I would say it is happening somewhere in the country every day."


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