MAP: 'Alarming' A500 death toll sparks action call
THE devastating effect of more than 500 accidents on one of North Staffordshire's busiest roads is revealed today.
The Sentinel has accessed data which shows the full impact of the alarming number of road traffic crashes and deaths on the A500.
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The scene of a crash on the A500 near Audley.
More than 500 accidents involving some 1,000 vehicles and 700 casualties – including 15 fatal smashes – have taken place on the busy D-Road in six years.
Now the figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Department of Transport, have prompted calls for action, with Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello planning to write to the Transport Secretary to express his alarm at the number of fatalities.
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There were a total of 506 accidents between 2005 and 2011, injuring 727 people and involving 1,060 cars, vans, lorries and motorbikes. More than half of the accidents – 298 – involve two vehicles, while 107 were single vehicle crashes and 71 involved three vehicles.
The largest smash, which took place on the northbound carriageway between Talke and Alsager, in February 2010, was a 13-vehicle pile-up which followed sudden snowfall and left the road closed for several hours.
Fifteen fatal crashes throughout that time have claimed the lives of several victims including:
Kevin Dunne, aged 42, of Lightwood, whose Jaguar X-Type hit a barrier and a parked lorry on February 16, 2007.
Driver Ian Lewkowicz, of Hanford, and his 16-year-old passenger Hayley Bates, of Biddulph, who were both killed when Mr Lewkowicz's sports car slid into a lorry parked in a lay-by on September 22, 2010.
Joshua Kirkham, aged 20, of Blackbrook, who crashed into a parked lorry in the same lay-by on August 16, 2011.
Church minister Dominic Culshaw, aged 46, of Powderham Close, Packmoor, who died after his BMW 520 was involved in a collision with two other cars and two vans, on May 3, 2011.
MP Mr Flello will now raise the matter with Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, quoting the figures obtained by The Sentinel.
He said: "I will ask for an urgent review of the A500, to find out what is causing so many accidents.
"There are three main problems. The first is where the A500 meets the M6. That junction is dreadful and something needs to be done.
"Then there are far too many accidents on the D-Road where it travels through Stoke-on-Trent and we need to find out what is causing them. I have also seen some statistics which show that on average there is one accident a week requiring emergency services on the slip road on and off the A50."
Newcastle GP Latif Hussain has attended a number of accidents along the road, in his role with the BASICS group, which attends emergencies.
Dr Hussain said: "The figures don't surprise me. We've been out to quite a few accidents on the road.
"It is a busy road and the speed limit is a problem on certain parts of it. Then it's a question of whether people observe that speed limit.
"The section where it joins the motorway at junction 15 was set at national speed limit and is unlit and that has caused problems.
"Coming down to junction 16 we have had quite a lot of incidents around there and there has been quite a lot of serious accidents, even resulting in fatalities.
"The problems are the speed, the nature of the road and the fact that there isn't any lighting along part of it."
A reduced speed limit of 50mph is set on the D-Road between Etruria and Hanford, while the rest remains at national speed limit.
Carolyn Wheat promotes road safety through her charity, the Andy Taft Charitable Trust, founded after losing her partner to a road accident in 2005.
Carolyn, aged 51, of Meir Heath, said: "I know people hate them, but I think speed cameras are the answer.
"They are there for a reason and I think one of the big problems with the A500 is speeding. The police should be taking more proactive measures like stopping people and giving out more stringent fines.
"The only way to stop people speeding is by hitting them in the pocket."
Police have recently focussed on motorists speeding on the 50mph stretch of the road between Etruria and Hanford. Some 1,347 drivers were fined in just three months of using mobile speed cameras in a crack-down launched last September.
Chief Inspector Steve Smytheman, head of roads policing for Staffordshire Police, said: "The safety of our roads is a key priority for public service partners across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
"Every person killed or seriously injured is a tragedy.
"We are determined to continue working towards reducing the number of casualties."
Stoke-on-Trent City Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, pictured below, said: "Road safety is a top priority for the city council and we are fully committed to continuing to reduce the number of accidents.
"The council is part of a county-wide safer roads partnership which launched a major crackdown on motorists flouting the 50mph speed limit along the busy commuter route, which started in September.
"No fatal or serious accidents have been reported during this time.
"However, I am aware that far too many accidents have happened on the A500 in the past and I am determined to take the necessary action to ensure that the downward trend continues.
"I would also urge drivers to watch their speed – one accident is one too many."
A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "Since 2005 we have undertaken various improvements on the A500 including closure of laybys, resurfacing sections of the carriageway, improvements to road markings and renewal of road studs.
"We are committed to improving road safety and continue to work with Staffordshire Police, the Staffordshire Road Safety Partnership and Stoke-on-Trent City Council on potential safety improvements that can be made along the A500 in the future."
Comments
by Backdoored
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:56PM
“by DoctorDo
"Well at least you've given up trying to convince me that you're right and every other driver is wrong". -Unquote.
Yeah- indeed. I gave up trying that one several comments back -no point after more of your 'parrot-like' highway code nonsense, other than to humour you.
But here, I'll treat you to some more of my sound and safe logic, which has kept me and my fellow motorists free from the likes of you... coming up with silly exaggerated claims as you do -no substance -and now attempting to use semantics to 'kid anyone else on here who might be remotely interested in your advice -from a bullying bureacratic mindset -
Far worse to 'bully another motorist into coming to a stop on an 'entrance slip road' -threatening to SLAM INTO THEM IF THEY DON'T SLAM THEIR BREAKS ON, AND COMING TO A STOP; FORCING THEM TO GET ON FROM A STANDING START to get onto the main carriageway -THIS IS THE DANGER YOU REFUSE TO SEE... and a far more dangerous attitude -especially with your authoritaian attitude.
Come to think about it, you'd have done well in the East German Communist Regime as a Stazi-Traffic Officer; a true 'blind bully' that you obviously are....
Just like a big daft kid; "IT'S MY ROAD AND I WAS ON IT FIRST' -NOW JUST WAIT OR I'LL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE (silly and dangerous) LAW -AND SLAM INTO YOU IF YOU THINK I'M GOING TO SLOW DOWN FOR YOU -AND, I'LL BE IN THE RIGHT SEE 'COS "THE HIGHWAY CODE SAYS SO -DrDolittle.”
by DoctorDo
Sunday, January 20 2013, 8:02PM
“Well at least you've given up trying to convince me that you're right and every other driver is wrong.
Good for you, I'm sure your carers will be proud of you.
P.S. It's slippery out; make sure you wear your helmet and don't let your tongue stick to the window whilst you're licking it.”
by Backdoored
Sunday, January 20 2013, 2:07PM
“You're biting like a good 'un. Pester away then -I'm not as cruel as I make out. Promise I won't ignore you.
Give us some more of this.”
by DoctorDo
Sunday, January 20 2013, 1:48PM
“Of course I'll continue to pester you, you odious little man in your 'big scary truck'!!
Poor driving needs to be challenged, but it isn't just your driving, it's your attitude toward other road users which really needs to be addressed.
If Nicky Davis, or anyone else for that matter, had taken your incorrect advice, she could have been prosecuted or even killed; but you're too stupid or arrogant, or both, to acknowledge the possible consequences of the advice you've given.”
by Backdoored
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:37PM
“by DoctorDo
"So you would ram them out of the way then? -Unquote.
Of course I will. I used to slaughter more than are slaughtered by the Muslim halal butchers on a good day. At least 10 a week went to the grave... -and good riddance to them I say. There was bllod and gore all ove the place.
The happy trucker.
(will that do you? -or are you going to continue with your obsessive nature and pester me further with more silly inane comments.”
by DoctorDo
Sunday, January 20 2013, 10:39AM
“So you would ram them out of the way then?
You don't have priority, end of story. What about your responsibilities to other road users? You seem to want it all your own way. Are you one of these 'I own the road types?' It seems you are. I don't know how old you are, but perhaps you could do with some extra training behind the wheel, since clearly you've never had any and seem to make up rules to suit.
The fact that you've resorted to insults simply proves that you're aware that you've lost the argument. You even admitted that it was the driver on the slip road who needed to adjust their speed and not the other way round. In your desperation to find some logic to your 'argument' you appear to have forgotten that.
You're the reason we need traffic police back on the roads. I'm glad you've retired. Now we need to get others like you off the road.”
by Backdoored
Friday, January 18 2013, 10:32PM
“And, having been silly enough to read more of your inane comment, I come across this little gem - (quote) "So what if you did 100,000 miles per year? I know taxi drivers who easily cover that..." -Unquote.
Now you are being silly -in fact, you're grabbing silly figures out of the air to defy gravity and making a complete a r s e of yourself.
The average for a Hackney Carriage Driver is between 15,000 and 20,000 per year; and that's because they spend so much time siting on the rank, queuing for fares (have you never noticed? -get yer head out of the Highway Code and you might observe this phenomena).
Even if a Private Hire Driver has secured some daily regular Airport work -and it is REGULAR EVERY DAY -there's no way they would knock up more than 50,000... perhaps at a stretch 60,000 per year. Take it from me buddy -I know that game and people still in it far better than you do. You're a complete joke -Please don't expect me to comment on any more of this bull *******. It's done and that is the end of it. Silly sausage. You're obsessed; with an 'authoritarian mind-set'. Let go and relax.”
by Backdoored
Friday, January 18 2013, 9:58PM
“-" Unfortunately you assume that the driver on the main carriageway is aware of their surroundings but very often they are not". -DrDo.
Well they soon are when I come steaming down, which I do -and especially where it's a short slip feed.... -there's no way in a Truck that I'm going to approach 'tentatively -not fast enough to 'safely merge' -JUST BECAUSE THERE MIGHT BE A DAY-DREAMER -DAWDLING ALONG IN THE SLOW LANE -unaware, and unconcerned of his/her repsonsiblities to other road users.
They soon 'wake-up' when confronted with the 'big bully'. Silly pathetic argument. You're boring me. Go read you highway code. And stop playing silly ******s.”
by DoctorDo
Friday, January 18 2013, 9:14PM
“@ Backdoored
Sorry for the late reply, PC problems.
Just to stress, I'm far from a 'text-book Charlie' as you so eloquently put it. I wanted an extra 15% insurance discount, hence the extra qualification.
Quote: "Whilst driving on a busy motorway in the inside lane (in a truck for instance) and passing a junction -where ahead of me is an 'entrance slip road' -the first thing I do is to check my offside mirror -whether I've observed a vehicle coming down the slip road or not -I check my offside mirror to double check what is happening immediatley behind me in both the middle and 3rd overtaking lanes (assuming it to be a three-lane highway -because one affects the other -or can do in a 'risk-situation'. THE SUDDEN SCRAMBLE FOR AVAILABLE SPACE -USUALLY WHEN VEHICLES ARE TRAVELLINJG FAR TOO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER... which is more often, sadly -the case.."
Good for you, this is EXACTLY my approach, especially where I know that the slip road is inadequate.
The problem is that 95% of drivers don't plan ahead but instead react to situations which arise. Unfortunately you assume that the driver on the main carriageway is aware of their surroundings but very often they are not.
Quote: " SURELY THE ONUS IS ON ME TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE JOINING THE MOTORWAY IS ABLE TO DO SO -You must agree with that -yes? "
Sorry but no. The onus is on ALL drivers to obey the road markings. You can't simply choose to ignore one aspect of traffic law because you disagree with it. How are other drivers expected to anticipate your actions when you make up your own rules?
Quote: "Now, I know the Highway code says those coming onto the motorway must give way to those already on it"
You agree then with my original post, that the advice you gave to Nicky was factually incorrect and that she DOESN'T have the 'right' to join the carriageway?
It's highly unlikely that there will be a change in the law with regard to priority, but until it does change we have to obey the law which is already in force. If another vehicle refused to give way to you when joining the main carriageway what would you do, would you ram them?
FYI, I never bully other drivers, it's usually HGV drivers who do that (knights of the road lol) so the scenario of someone being forced to stop on the slip road is alien to me. The Highway Code does say though that drivers on the slip road should adjust their speed to match the speed of the vehicles on the main carriageway, NOT the other way round. I've added the link just in case you've never bothered reading it.
https://http://tinyurl.com/b75lwgn
But then you contradict yourself by saying, "Give me the 'positive' driver who knows he/she must make his/her speed up to match that of the 'traffic flow' prevailing at the time on the motorway they are joining...." So you DO know the correct way to do it. Well done.
So what if you did 100,000 miles per year? I know taxi drivers who easily cover that and their driving skills are appalling. Also many countries on the continent give priority to traffic emerging from T junctions providing they don't stop at the junction. In France the government had to change the law when they first introduced roundabouts because of the chaos this system of priority caused. Not everything they do on the continent is a good idea.
Finally, I'm willing to bet that I've forgotten more about road safety than you're ever likely to know, but as my Dad always says,' Son, you can't knock it into a bloke.' (He's referring to common sense.)”
by Backdoored
Saturday, January 12 2013, 9:34PM
“Because something is in print -and because that print is put there by the AUTHORITY of the Government -doesn't mean it is right. Laws change -conditions evolve -wiser counsel prevails -as in Europe -where their Highway Code -their laws on motorway junctions have the priority the other way around... Far more sensible.
Their law states 'THOSE ON THE MOTORWAY MUST GIVE WAY TO THOSE JOINING IT....' This is done by making those on the motorwy more responsible when approaching junctions .....instead of, as exists at the present in the UK -a cavalier attitude being 'the state of play' and adopted by the likes of yoursef - **** you Jack -I'm alright.. 'I'm already on it -You can just wait your turn'.
Spending years trucking on the Continent and seeing how much safer their laws are in respect of junctions as outlined -I soon came to realise that our 'experts' who compile our Highway Codes -are. in regard to this issue, not always as clever as they are 'cracked up to be'.
And your comment; (quote) -'Just because you drove a truck doesn't make you a good driver" -(unquote) .... No it doesn't and wasn't meant to either. Those are your words. -But what it was meant to convery -which you 'conveniently' choose to ignore -is that since learning to drive AND passing my driving test -IN A TRUCK -back in 1957, and never being involved in a serious accident in those 50 years of driving (retiring in 2007 -with, as I explained, a clean Licence, which was clean for almost all my driving years -except for the odd point here and there- being inevitable when doing over 100,000 miles a year -for decades....and those odd points for going over the speed limit enough just by enough to get a ticket, that is what makes me a 'good' or as I prefer to describe it -a 'safe' driver.
'Text-Book Charlies' -have much to learn -about life in general -and especially about road safety. Rememer the old maxim ... 'Rules are for the guidance of the wise man, and for the strict observance of the fool'.”