The issue of road safety and driver competence regarding Red Road [B311] in Lightwater regularly attracts comment here.
These comments are valuable and sensible. On the most recent accident, MarkC rightly noted that it occurred on a part of Red Road not affected by any of the recent safety improvements, apart from reduced speed limit. The suggestion about driver competence is hugely relevant. Though neither MarkC or I know of the circumstances or cause of this accident, driver competence, or lack of it, surely figured. MarkC’s suggestion about low sun is unlikely to be a factor as it was an overcast day.
There are additional road safety measures that could be worthwhile. Removing more roadside trees, which seems likely to happen, as a number have been marked with a red band, presumably to identify them for removal [in answer to Speedicus Maximus]. In this recent accident, the car collided with a Silver Birch tree which is snapped in two [picture to follow]. It was a small tree, a more substantial one would likely have caused a more serious accident.
Interestingly, most of the accidents on Red Road end up with vehicles being overturned. Something that road safety engineering should aim to remove. Although it’ll be expensive, maybe Highways should consider safety barriers. This will have the benefit of stopping vehicles ending up in deep ditches, colliding with big trees, or riding up on a roadside bank and overturning.
The road is NOT dangerous. It’s just a road that requires more driver attention and care than others. While not wishing to be too critical of fellow councillors. The suggestion that people are confused about speed limit seems odd. Drivers are expected to know the Highway Code. Also speed is not the probable cause of most accidents, inattentive or careless driving is the most likely cause.
Given that much has been done to address speed, the focus should now be on overall safety – including Pedestrians – and traffic flow management @ Macdonald Rd junction (which in turn also addresses speed).
Given how many of our elected reps seem to get involved in this Road’s issues, how about a concerted effort chaps & chappesses?
It’s obviously a dangerous junction – I’d argue more so than the Ambleside Road / Guildford Road & Lightwater Road / Guildford Road junctions, which ‘qualified’ for mini-roundabouts …… please dont say its too expensive – you are all capable of juggling budgets; cut some of the fat out of other (unecessary) expenditure if needs be!
By: Speedicus Maximus on February 1, 2013
at 9:09 am
Oh my word – Macdonald road junction is an accident waiting to happen – especially given the number of school buses that use it morning and afternoon – if there ever was a junction in need of a roundabout! as you rightly say, this would also control the speed of cars going westwards along the red road from the long straight into the bends, and space out the traffic better going the other way.
By: Labrat on February 2, 2013
at 6:04 pm