Couldn’t find much more info about the crash than is this article. The driver was charged with driving dangerously while under the influence of illegal drugs (two separate charges). I was initially curious to know how serious it really was, given that a 70 year old chap was hit and was left with a “suspected broken leg”. Just seemed anomalous is all.
Older folk are known for having bones as brittle as chipsticks, so how did he get away with only a suspected fracture? I’m no expert but that must mean the fracture was not dislocated, as that surely would be immediately beyond suspicion. Even with greater pedestrian survivability these days thanks to better car design, this would seem a lot.
What I did find from the few articles out there about this does indicate it was indeed a really serious crash, as the road was closed off for about an hour. The police language used also seems more consistent with a high speed incident rather than a low speed nudge into the lollipop man. So how did he get away so lightly?
I did find one extra detail - two vehicles were involved. Yet only one person has been charged. I’m thinking that what might have happened is our kindly lollipop-wielding friend walked onto the crossing to allow kids to cross, and one car duly came to a stop, but then the drugged-up participant in the proceedings who was too preoccupied snorting lines off the dashboard to notice, walloped into the back of the first car at speed, shunting it forward into said lollipop geezer.
Well it’s all I could think of that would explain it all.
SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Come one British people… “Lollipop Man”?
I get it, carries the street sign. But like, give the old timer volunteers some semblance of dignity and say “Crossing Guard” or something…
BananaTrifleViolin@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Lollipop man or lady is what’s its always be known as. It is dignified as people are very grateful to the people who do these jobs and its an affectionate name.
Crossing Guard sounds american, and a bit hostile to be honest. Lollipop man sounds warm and kind, which is also nice for children. The official UK government name is “School Crossing Patrol Officer” - no thanks.
thanksforallthefish@literature.cafe 3 weeks ago
Can confirm, that is correct
SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I guess… to me “Lollipop Man” man sounds pejorative. It’s normalized to you, because, as you said, that what you grew up with. The thing my mind immediately connects it to is “Lollipop Guild”, Wizard of Oz. Makes it sound belittling/emasculating to call a grown man that.
wiccan2@thelemmy.club 3 weeks ago
We don’t need any more Americanisms in our language.
It’s a term that’s been used for decades and the people who do the job are proud of the title.
SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
you’re taking this wayyyyyy too seriously.
If the name of a person who helps kids cross safely is such an important part of your cultural nationalist identity… that’s pretty weird man… strange thing to get defensive over. Didn’t even think it was a nationalist thing, but you’re making it one.
mannycalavera@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
What a stupid thing to make a comment about. You know that thing in the picture is known as a Zebra crossing. But I bet you’d say:
🤡
Tweak@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
The fun thing is we name all the variations on traffic light crossings too, eg pelican, puffin, toucan crossings. It’s bloody lovely.
SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
We call it a crosswalk… because it’s where you walk to cross the road…
See how easy it was to reply WITHOUT insulting, condescending and being rude? I know you saw the downvotes and were “hohoho, I can’t wait be meanspirited to this guy!!”… What part of my original post warranted this level of attacks? It says A LOT more about you, than me.
donutaud15@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Why don’t you ‘people’ focus on the bullshit that’s in your fucking country instead of sticking your fucking nose in other people’s language, terminology and culture. Fucking cunt.
You people elected a literal walking Cheetos and you think you have some sort of authority on criticising cultures. You’re a joke.
SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yea, thats definitely relative and not at all an insane escalation of aggression.
Theoriginalthon@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Australian?
Nighed@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
As a kid, they’re a person holding a huge yellow and red lollipop! So all the kids call them that anyway, so the name sticks (much like a dropped lollipop).
Tweak@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
More to the point, they’re generally beloved by children and parents, and almost everyone really.
SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
hey, thanks for responding respectfully and informatively… instead of, ya know, hurling insults, blaming me for causing the worlds problems and creating a bot account just to downvote everything I said because I asked a question…
snausagesinablanket@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
poor soul, they got you too.
You said “joke” and these people are deadly, deadly serious about their lollipop man…