The move comes just days after two children were knocked down outside a school on a patrolled crossing.

Six-year-old Ashley Farrell and a four-year-old girl had a lucky escape when they were hit while on their way to Aycliffe Drive Primary School in Grovehill, Hemel Hempstead.

The pair suffered bruises and were left shaken by the ordeal on September 26. Ashley's mum Emma Charge said: "He keeps talking about it.
"He just feels lucky to be alive."

The risk to lollipop men and women as well as youngsters is a growing concern.

Earlier this year one lollipop lady spoke out about the dangers following a distressing incident when a woman driver almost hit an elderly man as he crossed the road. The motorist then became abusive.

Maija Fisher, who patrols Long Chaulden and has been a lollipop lady since 2006, told the HeraldExpress: "Road rage is just getting worse.

"Something happens almost every week now."

Stopping for a lollipop patrol person is not a matter of courtesy, motorists are required to put the brakes on by law under the 1984 Road Traffic Act.

Changes to the Act in 2001 also means that patrols are now allowed to guide adults across the road as well as children.

Reported incidents across the county during the last year resulted in 11 prosecutions, drivers received points on their licences, fines of up to £1,000 and in some cases were even banned from getting behind the wheel.

The campaign called Stop Means Stop is being launched by Herts County Council next week in a bid to improve safety.

An Arriva bus advertising the drive will be at Tesco in Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead on October 16 from 10am to midday.
Patrollers will be wearing tabards advertising the campaign during the week.

County Councillor Stuart Pile, the cabinet member for highways, transport and rural affairs, said: "Helping children and adults safely across busy roads at peak times already has its risks and - as our prosecution record shows - we will not tolerate inconsiderate and dangerous behaviour from drivers."