Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

PFD Category
Reports: 503 Areas: 68 Earliest: Aug 2013 Latest: 6 Apr 2026

82% response rate (above 63% average). 27% of classified responses show concrete action taken. Reports rose 56% from 32 (2023) to 50 (2024).

Response Status
Responded 411 No Response 7 Historic 84 Pending 1
AI Classification
Action Taken 27%
Action Planned 50%
Noted 19%
Disputed 3%
Based on 540 classified responses
Reports by Quarter
PFD Reports
503 results
Liam Seager
All Responded
2020-0029 17 Feb 2020 London Inner (North)
Tower Hamlets Council Transport for London
Concerns summary (AI summary) The absence of a pedestrian crossing on the A12 near a fatal collision site, coupled with delays in implementing a traffic management order and building a new crossing, poses ongoing risks.
Action Planned (AI summary) Tower Hamlets Council has produced plans for new pedestrian phases at the A12 / Wick Lane junction, including railings and signage. These works will commence once approval is secured from TfL to close the A12 slip roads. TfL plans to prohibit pedestrian access to the A12. LBTH will design and construct a new pedestrian crossing at the mouth of the junction and provide new wayfinding signs to direct pedestrians over the A12 via a safe crossing point; TfL are working with other London boroughs along the route to develop improved wayfinding signs.
Beryl Fricker
All Responded
2020-0024 28 Jan 2020 Dorset
BCP Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) Poor street lighting at a wide, busy junction in a residential area created inadequate illumination for all road users, increasing collision risks for pedestrians and vehicles.
Action Planned (AI summary) BCP Council will assess pedestrian provision at the Upwey Avenue/Lake Road junction, considering a central refuge island or narrowing the junction mouth. However, funding for recommended schemes is limited and timescales cannot be provided at present.
Gary Sloan
All Responded
2020-0009 22 Jan 2020 Sunderland
Sunderland City Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) A specific section of the A690 has a high incidence of collisions, including two fatal incidents at the same location, necessitating a review of safety restrictions and drainage.
Action Planned (AI summary) Sunderland City Council will include a scheme in its 2020-2021 capital programme to mitigate the risk of serious injury to drivers on the A690. The council will replace a side entry gully with a top entry gully in the spring.
Aston McLean
All Responded
2020-0015 20 Jan 2020 Berkshire
JRCALC
Concerns summary (AI summary) Guidelines for declaring death on scene (ROLE) need urgent clarification, especially regarding assumptions about imminence or difficulty of extraction. Ambulance crews also lacked awareness of fire service capabilities for vehicle lifting, hindering decision-making.
Action Planned (AI summary) The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives is reviewing the JRCALC clinical practice guidelines in relation to recognition of life extinct (ROLE). They will amend the wording to clarify what to do when access to the patient is not possible and to clarify the need to work with other agencies.
Anthony Carroll
All Responded
2020-0018 8 Jan 2020 Liverpool and Wirral
National Police Chief’s Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) The public may misunderstand police emergency vehicle speed limits. Additionally, a lack of visual indicators led officers to mistakenly believe sirens were active, highlighting a safety flaw.
Noted (AI summary) The NPCC provides clarification on police vehicle speed limits and emergency equipment operation, stating that there's no national proposal to add further equipment activation indicators due to potential driver distraction.
Adam Wilcox
Historic (No Identified Response)
2019-0492 23 Dec 2019 Hampshire (Central)
Hampshire County Council Southampton County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) A busy main road lacks safe pedestrian and cycle crossings, forcing individuals to navigate dangerous sections where pathways end, significantly increasing the risk of serious collisions.
Jamie Finlay
All Responded
2019-0510 17 Dec 2019 Suffolk
Transport and Rural Affairs at Suffolk …
Concerns summary (AI summary) The filter lane and junction design fails to prevent drivers from incorrectly turning onto the wrong side of bollards, posing a road safety risk.
Action Planned (AI summary) Suffolk County Council will review the junction design and layout to identify engineering solutions to reduce the opportunity for drivers to turn right in advance of the centre island, and will continue to monitor collisions across the county.
Mark Anderson
Historic (No Identified Response)
2019-0435 17 Dec 2019 South Wales Central
Cardiff Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) Motorcyclists using Trelai Park as an unfettered racing area pose a significant safety risk to the general public, particularly children and the elderly.
Darren Wilson
Historic (No Identified Response)
2019-0418 5 Dec 2019 Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) A notorious accident hotspot lacked essential traffic calming measures, including reduced speed limits and double white lines, contributing to numerous near misses and non-fatal collisions.
David Moore
All Responded
2019-0413 3 Dec 2019 County Durham and Darlington
Durham County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) A dark section of the A693, serving as an unofficial pedestrian crossing point with a 60mph speed limit and no street lighting, creates a critical hazard where vehicle stopping distances exceed driver visibility.
Action Taken (AI summary) Following a fatal accident investigation, the council replaced the pedestrian crossing signs with larger signs manufactured from a highly reflective material.
Suzanna Bull
All Responded
2019-0404 29 Nov 2019 Birmingham and Solihull
Department for Transport Road Haulage Association Scania +1 more
Concerns summary (AI summary) A dashboard tray creates a dangerous blind spot in moving vehicles, yet there are no warnings on the product, nor general advisories to manufacturers or users, about this safety hazard.
Action Planned (AI summary) The DVSA will circulate information to haulage operators stating that aftermarket dashboard trays breach testing rules and should be removed when HGVs are driven and publish similar information on gov.uk. The Department for Transport will also make umbrella bodies aware of the concerns. DVSA published a Moving On blog on GOV.UK and sent a link to haulage operators reminding them to keep windscreens clear; they will highlight concerns at a Heavy Vehicle Industry Forum, and will update guidance to warn drivers against putting objects in their lorry which restrict their view.
Gareth Williams
Historic (No Identified Response)
2019-0464 25 Nov 2019 Gwent
Newport County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) Safety on a road known for speeding and overtaking would be improved by extending double white lines to restrict dangerous overtaking maneuvers.
Jamil Ahmed
All Responded
15 Nov 2019 Birmingham and Solihull
National Highways
Concerns summary (AI summary) The use of hard shoulders as running lanes on smart motorways creates a severe risk of collisions with stationary vehicles, especially given high speeds and limited escape options on elevated stretches.
1 response from National Highways
Edward McGivern
Historic (No Identified Response)
14 Nov 2019 Berkshire
Slough Borough Council Highways Departm…
Concerns summary (AI summary) The current road layout and cycle lanes at a junction create a risk of cyclists being struck by left-turning motor vehicles, especially commercial ones, due to poor visibility and positioning.
Jamie Staley
All Responded
2019-0463 12 Nov 2019 Gwent
Monmouth County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) Lack of signage and relatively easy access points allow pedestrians to inadvertently stray onto the A40 near Gibraltar tunnels, posing a risk of future collisions.
Noted (AI summary) Monmouthshire County Council expresses condolences and explains the existing footpath infrastructure. They state that signage did not contribute to the accident, but will continue to work with SWTRA to identify any additional safety measures. Monmouthshire County Council confirms that the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) has installed Pedestrian Prohibition signs on existing signing infrastructure.
Costel Stancu
All Responded
2019-0379 12 Nov 2019 Cheshire
Highways England
Concerns summary (AI summary) The lack of lighting on a section of the motorway is an ongoing risk, having contributed to collisions, and its safety implications were not reassessed during the 'smart motorway' conversion.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways will conduct a lighting assessment on the M6 between junctions 16 and 19, and complete the final Road Safety Audit (Stage 4) by Summer 2020.
Hajra Sidat
All Responded
2019-0370 1 Nov 2019 Cheshire
Cheshire East Council Cheshire East Highways Department
Concerns summary (AI summary) The A34 bypass (Melrose Way Bend) is dangerous due to the lack of a continuous white line, allowing unsafe overtaking on a dark stretch of road.
Action Planned (AI summary) Cheshire East Highways has accepted the recommendation to replace the existing hazard centreline marking with a hatched hazard centreline on A34 Melrose Way, with works programmed to be carried out in March. • A road safety assessment report was prepared for A34 Melrose Way. • The existing centre line marking was replaced with a hatched hazard centreline and red surfacing in March 2020 to discourage overtaking. • These measures comply with national regulations and guidance.
Salma Sidat
All Responded
2019-0370-wp26883 1 Nov 2019 Cheshire
Cheshire East Council Cheshire East Highways Department
Concerns summary (AI summary) The A34 bypass (Melrose Way Bend) is dangerous due to the lack of a continuous white line, allowing unsafe overtaking on a dark stretch of road.
Action Planned (AI summary) Cheshire East Highways has accepted the recommendation to replace the existing hazard centreline marking with a hatched hazard centreline on A34 Melrose Way, with works programmed to be carried out in March. Following a road safety assessment, Cheshire East Highways replaced the centre line marking on A34 Melrose Way with a hatched hazard centreline and red surfacing in March 2020, aiming to discourage overtaking.
Liyakat Sidat
All Responded
2019-0370-wp26882 1 Nov 2019 Cheshire
Cheshire East Council Cheshire East Highways Department
Concerns summary (AI summary) The A34 bypass at Melrose Way Bend is dangerous due to the absence of a continuous white line, allowing unsafe overtaking in dark conditions and posing a risk to lives.
Action Planned (AI summary) • A road safety assessment report for the A34 Melrose Way was reviewed. • The council accepted the report's recommendation to replace the existing hazard centreline marking with a hatched hazard centreline to narrow the carriageway visually. • The works were programmed to be carried out in March. • A road safety assessment report for A34 Melrose Way was prepared. • The existing centre line marking was replaced with a hatched hazard centreline and red surfacing. • These works were completed in March 2020.
Catherine Gardiner, Jason Aleixo, Lorraine Maclellan
All Responded
2019-0350 24 Oct 2019 Berkshire
Ford UK Highways England
Concerns summary (AI summary) Ford's vehicle design should include fault code provision for engine shutdowns caused by the DMF protection system, and the manufacturer has yet to conduct a forensic examination to identify relevant faults.
Noted (AI summary) Highways England acknowledges receipt of the report and briefly summarises their procedures for temporary road closures, stating that closures are kept to the shortest time possible and safety is prioritised. Ford acknowledges the report and emphasises their commitment to customer safety and quality control, highlighting their monitoring and improvement processes, but doesn't commit to any specific action as a result of this case. Highways England clarifies the oversight role of the Department for Transport (DfT) and Office of Road and Rail (ORR), and explains its statutory powers regarding traffic regulation orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. It notes the absence of incentives or penalties related to hard shoulder closures.
Dev Naran
All Responded
2019-0341 14 Oct 2019 Birmingham and Solihull
Highways England
Concerns summary (AI summary) Motorway management lacks automatic detection for stationary vehicles in live lanes, compounded by long gaps in emergency refuge areas and confusing signage on dynamic hard shoulders, increasing the risk of fatal collisions.
Action Planned (AI summary) National Highways is introducing stopped vehicle detection capability, exploring other technologies to reduce risk, and running information campaigns on emergency procedures and safe driving practices from January 2020 to March 2021.
Steffan Evans
All Responded
2019-0339 8 Oct 2019 Staffordshire South
County Highways Department Staffordshire County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) There are continuing concerns regarding the high volume and speed of traffic on the B5017, particularly at junctions, warranting a further review to improve road safety.
Noted (AI summary) Staffordshire County Council acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding the B5017 Burton Road but states that collision data does not currently justify traffic calming measures. They are investigating if the road can be included in another funded scheme.
Saeid Hedayat
All Responded
2019-0327 2 Oct 2019 West Sussex
West Sussex County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) West Sussex County Council's drain clearance risk assessment was inadequate, failing to account for specific blockages and lacking regular review or warning signs for known flood risks, despite available data and increased storm severity.
Action Taken (AI summary) WSCC reviewed their risk assessment process, taking into account changes in risk level and now account for flood events and silt levels when arranging gully cleansing. They dispute the need for permanent warning signs about flooding.
Jonathan Ball
Partially Responded
2019-0507 17 Sep 2019 West Yorkshire (East)
DAF Trucks Ltd DVSA Office of the Traffic Commissioner +3 more
Concerns summary (AI summary) The HGV lacked a warning device for stranded vehicles, the driver was not trained to report hazards, and the rear hazard warning light was hard to see, with no added resilience from duplicate lights.
Noted (AI summary) Whitelocks Development Ltd has purchased warning triangles for HGVs, instructed drivers on emergency service contact, instructed drivers to clean light lenses and are considering fitting auxiliary warning lights, with completion of these actions planned for end of November 2019. The Office of the Traffic Commissioner explains the Traffic Commissioners' role and refers the coroner to the Department for Transport regarding legislation and the DVSA regarding driver training. DAF Trucks states that the vehicle was originally supplied with a safety kit including warning triangles, and that a bulb monitoring system was in place. They deem no action is required from them, as the lighting system was subsequently altered by another organisation. The RHA will raise awareness of equipment shortages and driver training issues through member emails, a magazine article, and at member events.
Pauline Howell
All Responded
2019-0498 9 Aug 2019 Newcastle Upon Tyne
Newcastle Upon Tyne City Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) The coroner raises concerns about the John Dobson Street crossing, citing foreseeable pedestrian error, its proximity to a busy junction, challenging conditions for bus drivers, and a design that allows no margin for error, noting previous fatal incidents.
Action Planned (AI summary) Newcastle City Council commissioned two independent Road Safety Audits and will install text on the kerb edge at pedestrian crossing points stating 'Look both ways'. Other minor scheme improvements include amending tactile paving, revising the phasing of lights, and replacing damage on a splinter island.