Elijah Shotade
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2018-0290
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 13 Nov 2018
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
13 Nov 2018
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner's Concerns
(1) That the layout of the road is such that motorists driving in a west bound direction will remain the east bound lane after overtaking and are unable to return to their nearside lane (2) That many sat navs direct a west bound motorist to bear right thereby encouraging them to enter onto the east bound lane 37 Castle Square; Caernarfon; Gwynedd, LLSS 2NN Tel 01286 672804 Fax 01286 675217 The heavy driving they "bear
Responses
Response received
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Dear Sir RE REGULATION 28 REPORT ELIJAH OLUWAGBENGA SHOTADE DECEASED Thank you for your letter of 18th September was sorry to hear of the death of Mr Shotade on 31st August 2018. note that you have raised concerns with regard to two issues detailed in Section 5 of your Regulation 28 Report: "The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows (1) That the layout of the road is such that motorists driving in & west bound direction will remain in the east bound lane after overtaking and are unable to return to their nearside lane. (2) That many satnavs direct a west bound motorist to bear right thereby encouraging them to enter onto the east bound lane. have set out below details of the action that has been taken or will be taken in response to the concerns outlined in your report and your investigation into the death of Mr Shotade. North Wales Police first drew the Welsh Government's attention to potential issue at this location in January 2018. This followed two incidents that occurred at the end of 2017 BUDDSODDWYR INVESTORS Parc Cathays Cathays Park Ffon Tel 0300 025 255526 MEWN POBL IN PEOPLE Caerdydd Cardiff CF1O 3NQ Gwefan website: WWMwales_goVUk very
The first was on 30th November 2017 and resulted in serious injuries when van travelling westbound crossed the centreline and collided with a car travelling in the opposite direction. The van driver, who was inexperienced at driving on the left and had had little sleep in the previous 48 hours, later admitted dangerous driving and was given a 16 month prison sentence and was banned from driving in the UK for 32 months_ The second was on 23r December 2017 and involved a westbound vehicle entering eastbound carriageway purportedly as result of satellite navigation system instruction. Thankfully, no collision occurred, Following discussions with North Wales Police in February 2018, the Welsh Government inspected the road layout and signing and reviewed the collision records to establish whether there was an historical pattern of similar incidents at the location The traffic signs and road markings were in compliance with the required standard the Traffic Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2016. The collision records for the previous 5 years (1st January 2013 to 31st December 2017) did not highlight any pattern of previous collisions similar in nature to those outlined above Notwithstanding the outcome of these investigations the Welsh Government decided to carryout a review of the traffic signing and road markings across the A55 Britannia Bridge and implement any recommended improvements as soon as possible in the 2017/18 financial year: The review concluded that although the relevant traffic signs and road markings complied with standards, they could be reinforced to further reduce the risk of westbound vehicles crossing over into the eastbound carriageway: The works were programmed to commence in September 2018, when the fatal collision that is the subject of your letter occurred on 31st August 2018. The final report on the incident from North Wales Police is awaited, pending completion of their investigations, which will consider in addition to the inquest conclusion. The extension of the double white lines prohibiting overtaking over the whole length of Britannia Bridge and lane arrows to reinforce the direction of travel has now been completed: Improvements to the signing, which will affirm that vehicles should keep left; will follow before the end of the financial year: The design of all improvements has been subject to Stage 1 and 2 Road Safety Audits_ Stage 3 Road Safety Audit will be carried out following the implementation of all the improvements The safety of the site will continue to be monitored as part of the Stage 4 Road Safety Audit process: While satellite navigation systems are navigational tool for drivers , it remains the driver's responsibility to observe and obey road markings and signs_ If satellite navigation system instruction is to lead to a manoeuvre that endangers other road users, the driver of a vehicle should not comply with it Drivers must not follow any satellite navigation system instructions which would be to the detriment of road safety_ The works outlined above seek to reinforce the driver's understanding of the road layout at this location, however; ultimately drivers remain responsible for ensuring that do not fall below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver the Sign likely they
If you wish to discuss this letter; then please contact me on
The first was on 30th November 2017 and resulted in serious injuries when van travelling westbound crossed the centreline and collided with a car travelling in the opposite direction. The van driver, who was inexperienced at driving on the left and had had little sleep in the previous 48 hours, later admitted dangerous driving and was given a 16 month prison sentence and was banned from driving in the UK for 32 months_ The second was on 23r December 2017 and involved a westbound vehicle entering eastbound carriageway purportedly as result of satellite navigation system instruction. Thankfully, no collision occurred, Following discussions with North Wales Police in February 2018, the Welsh Government inspected the road layout and signing and reviewed the collision records to establish whether there was an historical pattern of similar incidents at the location The traffic signs and road markings were in compliance with the required standard the Traffic Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2016. The collision records for the previous 5 years (1st January 2013 to 31st December 2017) did not highlight any pattern of previous collisions similar in nature to those outlined above Notwithstanding the outcome of these investigations the Welsh Government decided to carryout a review of the traffic signing and road markings across the A55 Britannia Bridge and implement any recommended improvements as soon as possible in the 2017/18 financial year: The review concluded that although the relevant traffic signs and road markings complied with standards, they could be reinforced to further reduce the risk of westbound vehicles crossing over into the eastbound carriageway: The works were programmed to commence in September 2018, when the fatal collision that is the subject of your letter occurred on 31st August 2018. The final report on the incident from North Wales Police is awaited, pending completion of their investigations, which will consider in addition to the inquest conclusion. The extension of the double white lines prohibiting overtaking over the whole length of Britannia Bridge and lane arrows to reinforce the direction of travel has now been completed: Improvements to the signing, which will affirm that vehicles should keep left; will follow before the end of the financial year: The design of all improvements has been subject to Stage 1 and 2 Road Safety Audits_ Stage 3 Road Safety Audit will be carried out following the implementation of all the improvements The safety of the site will continue to be monitored as part of the Stage 4 Road Safety Audit process: While satellite navigation systems are navigational tool for drivers , it remains the driver's responsibility to observe and obey road markings and signs_ If satellite navigation system instruction is to lead to a manoeuvre that endangers other road users, the driver of a vehicle should not comply with it Drivers must not follow any satellite navigation system instructions which would be to the detriment of road safety_ The works outlined above seek to reinforce the driver's understanding of the road layout at this location, however; ultimately drivers remain responsible for ensuring that do not fall below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver the Sign likely they
If you wish to discuss this letter; then please contact me on
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe that your organisation has the power to take such action:
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 03/09/2018 commenced an investigation into the death of Elijah Oluwagbenga Shotade, who was born on 7ih February 1987 investigation has not yet been concluded and the inquest has not yet been heard.
Circumstances of the Death
On 31s August 2018 Elijah Oluwagbenga Shotade was driving a motor vehicle over the Britannia Bridge in a westerly direction. He overtook two vehicles but did not return to his nearside lane_ He continued in the east bound carriageway and collided with an east bound goods vehicle suffering injuries that led to his death_ My investigation, to date, shows that there have been numerous, almost identical, collisions and incidents. My investigation, to date, would suggest that motorists in a west bound direction, having been used to driving along the dual carriageway of the A55, enter onto the Britannia Bridge (which is not a dual carriageway) but seem to behave as if the east bound lane is the offside lane of a dual carriageway: The result of this is that they find themselves in the east bound carriageway of the bridge and on leaving the bridge are unable to turn to their nearside lane due to the presence of barriers The situation is made worse by many sat navs directing the motorists to right" on leaving the Britannia Bridge.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.