UK Inquiry Tracker

Jonathan Hawes

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2015-0466

Date of Report 24 November 2015

Coroner Caroline Sumeray

Coroner Area Isle of Wight

Response Deadline ✓ from report 19 January 2016

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

All 1 response received · Deadline: 19 Jan 2016

Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)

The 60 mph speed limit on Cowleaze Hill is unsafe due to blind bends and cambers. There is a critical need to reconsider the speed limit and install appropriate road signage.

View full coroner's concerns

1. During the course of the evidence, it became clear that whilst this stretch of road is subject to the national speed limit of 60 mph, all of the witnesses who gave evidence and who traverse the road regularly suggested that it would be dangerous to attempt to drive that stretch of road where there are blind bends and cambers, at 60 mph.

2. I am concerned that a reconsideration of the speed limit on Cowleaze Hill should be undertaken.

3. I am concerned that there are a failure to exhibit appropriate road signage and

Responses

Response

16 Dec 2015

Disputed
Island Roads argues that existing signage is adequate and the collision record doesn't indicate excessive speed, so a reduced speed limit is unlikely to have a measurable impact. The police do not support a reduced speed limit. (AI summary)

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Dear H.M, Coroner Subject: Regulation 28 Notice Mr J E Hawes In response to your Regulation 28 Notice regarding the death of Mr Jonathan Edward Hawes in a road traffic collision; please find attached a report that provides responses to your recommendations_ would like to take this opportunity to make You aware that,although Ringway Island Roads manage and maintain the highway network on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council The powers to implement reduced speed limits and install new road signs remain with the Isle of Wight Council; as are the Local Highway Authority: Future correspondence should therefore be sent to Mr Bill Murphy; who is the Isle of Wight Council PFI Contract Manager and Traffic Manager

Sent To

Islands Roads

Response Status

Linked responses 1 of 1

56-Day Deadline 19 Jan 2016

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

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On 26th May 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jonathan Edward Hawes, aged 48. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 17th December 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision. The medical cause of death was found to be: 1a Multiple Injuries. 1b 1c

Circumstances of the Death

1) Jonathan Edward Hawes was born on 7th November 1966. At the time of his death, he was 48 years of age.

2) Mr Hawes was a very experienced motorcyclist, having ridden motorcycles for in excess of 30 years.

3) On 24th May 2015, he was riding with 2 friends in convoy, with Mr Hawes leading the group. They were travelling at a leisurely pace, between 20-30 mph on the A3055 Cowleaze Hill, Shanklin from the Ventnor direction. The road is a single lane carriageway in both directions, subject to the national speed limit, i.e. 60 mph.
4) A white Renault Megane motor vehicle was travelling in the opposite direction being driven by a man, accompanied by his wife (in the front passenger seat) and 2 children in the rear of the vehicle. This vehicle was travelling below 30 mph.

5) The road twists and turns with bends in both directions and is subject to a degree of camber in places. As the car driver rounded a left-hand bend, there was a blind kink in the road to his right. He suddenly became aware of a motorcycle appearing from the other direction which was leaning heavily to its left side. The motorcycle dropped flat to the ground and slid across the carriageway slamming into the front of the car.

6) The car’s airbags immediately inflated. The driver exited the vehicle and found the motorcyclist appeared to have died instantly in the collision with the front of his vehicle.

7) Assistance was provided from people living near to the scene of the collision, and paramedics arrived shortly after the incident, but they were unable to resuscitate Mr Hawes and pronounced him life extinct at 17.15 hours.

8) Examination of the vehicles involved revealed no defects, however it is likely that Mr Hawes was in 5th gear (out of 6), when the other experienced motorcyclists and Police witnesses suggested that a more appropriate gear to take that bend might be 2nd or 3rd gear.