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High-fiving lollipop man told to stop

(30 Posts)
thatbags Thu 26-Feb-15 09:52:20

A lollipop man in Dumbarton has been told to stop high-fiving kids as they pass him crossing the road because of Health and safety. West Dunbartonshire Council think his hi-viz clothes don't make him visible enough to traffic if he isn't standing straight with both arms outstretched. Petition to get the council to reverse the order here if anyone would like to sign it.

bee63 Thu 26-Feb-15 10:09:22

The council is right.

Plus 'high fiving' is so 1980's.

Marmight Thu 26-Feb-15 10:22:52

Signed. H and S gone bananas. shock

Lona Thu 26-Feb-15 10:25:00

I think he needs to concentrate on getting the children across the road safely!

absentgrandma Thu 26-Feb-15 10:35:03

Have to agree with bee63 and Lona, I'm afraid. His job is to get the children across the road as quickly and safely as possible, not stopping to Hi Five some of them. Whatever happened to a cheery wave?

soontobe Thu 26-Feb-15 10:42:55

I think it is lovely that they high five.
I expect he is still doing his job properly?

Agus Thu 26-Feb-15 10:54:03

Signed. Any motorist who is not aware of a lollipop man in the middle of the street because both arms aren't outstretched, shouldn't be driving!

Mishap Thu 26-Feb-15 11:09:39

He just needs some flourescent overtrousers and all would be well. His bum would be a beacon!

ninathenana Thu 26-Feb-15 11:40:56

Hmmm, I'm on the fence with this one. I can see both sides.

merlotgran Thu 26-Feb-15 12:27:14

The lollipop man should know that the middle of the road is not the place for larking about. I'm glad DH no longer drives as I would NOT like to be the one sitting next to him if he were held up by a high-fiving t**t in a hi-viz jacket.

Those would be his words not mine. grin

Teetime Thu 26-Feb-15 12:46:48

High fiving is just another meaningless American thing that we can do without. Women keep trying to d it to me on the golf course - makes me feel a prune if I do it and a spoilsport if I don't. kids like it though I expect they enjoyed their friendly lollipop man.

MiniMouse Thu 26-Feb-15 13:10:13

I probably sound a bit bah humbug, but surely children of any age should just concentrate on crossing the road? There could easily be some idiot driver who's not concentrating and doesn't see the lollypop man/lady in time, in which case the children will need all their wits about them to avoid an accident. A quick smile or 'hello' is enough.

Agus I take your point, but the trouble is that there are drivers like that on the road, sadly.

merlotgran Thu 26-Feb-15 13:14:36

agus. You say the lollipop man has both arms outstretched.

How come if he's busy high-fiving?

Children should not be distracted while crossing the road and car drivers should not be confused by a lollipop man waving one arm about.

merlotgran Thu 26-Feb-15 13:16:00

Sorry, agus I misread your post.

The lollipop man should have one arm outstretched and the other hand holding the lollipop.

Simple training really.

hildajenniJ Thu 26-Feb-15 13:35:20

Exactly merlot. The green cross code tells children to walk straight across the road, looking and listening for traffic all the time. They should not be distracted by a lollipop man! He needs a training course to update him IMO.

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 26-Feb-15 13:41:31

He is there to get the kids across the road safely. Doesn't need to "high-five" them. Never heard of such rubbish.

Agus Thu 26-Feb-15 14:26:29

OK. I can only speak from personal experience. The lollipop man, 'Mr. C' who safely guides GDS x 2 and their friends across the road, goes into the middle of the road, stops the traffic and then signals the children to cross, most of whom he knows by name. The children are all very fond of him, he is part of the community and there is always some cheery banter as they cross whilst all traffic is stationary.

My point is, once he ensures the traffic has been stopped, where is the risk in engaging with the children in a friendly manner?

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 26-Feb-15 14:29:18

Well, for one thing, I think you need to have some consideration for the drivers. And another, they should be crossing safely over without any messing about. The next step could even be the children starting to play with each other halfway over. Not a good example.

merlotgran Thu 26-Feb-15 14:45:24

There must surely be some training and guidance for this job?

merlotgran Thu 26-Feb-15 14:50:08

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2488233/Banned-giving-high-fives-Lollipop-man-popular-children-nickname-jollyman-stopped-ONE-parent-complained.html

This happened somewhere else over a year ago.

Do these people maybe have lollipop egos?

Agus Thu 26-Feb-15 14:55:14

The children are instructed to get smartly across the road, even the parents obey him grin

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 26-Feb-15 14:57:36

Bloody good job too. grin

FarNorth Thu 26-Feb-15 15:24:13

There's nothing wrong with engaging in a friendly manner, as you describe, Agus, but reducing the attention of the children and himself for the traffic situation, by making a meaningless gesture, is not a good idea.

"Once the traffic is stationary" has been mentioned but a lollipop person often steps into the road when there is no traffic to be seen - and then some idiot may come racing up and quick reaction may be needed.

Elegran Thu 26-Feb-15 15:33:09

Perhaps he could be advised to do the high fives as a farewell once they have reached to safety of the kerb?

rosequartz Thu 26-Feb-15 16:10:58

I think that someone charged with the road safety of children should not be mucking around in an immature fashion in the middle of the road.