DRIVERS failing to stop for school crossing patrols are to be prosecuted following fears of a tragedy.

Sergeant Ian Hutchinson, community safety officer with Langbaurgh police, said: "These drivers are putting the lives of children and other people using the crossings at risk simply to save a few seconds on their journeys.

"This is not acceptable, and offenders can expect to have a visit from the police which may result in them being prosecuted."

The worst troublespots are Thrush Road and Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar, and Normanby Road, South Bank.

There have been 69 fail-to-stop incidents over the past two years while attempts to improve driver awareness with new signs are being ignored by drivers.

Coun Sylvia Szintai, lead member for the environment and infrastructure with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "We receive regular reports, often two or three a month, of motorists who swerve round the patrol officers standing in the middle of the road. Every one of these incidents is a recipe for an accident."

A protocol has been drawn up between the council and Cleveland Police in an attempt to crack down on the number of fail-to-stop incidents happening across east Cleveland.

Mike Hall, the council's road safety officer, said: "We want motorists to know that they will not be getting away with that sort of driving behaviour any longer. We want to prosecute as many of these bad drivers as possible."