Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Concerns summary Bedford Hospitals NHS Trust failed to implement recommendations for mental health patient transfers, with an inadequate new policy and staff confusion regarding powers to detain 'at-risk' patients lacking mental capacity.

Concerns summary A police pursuit protocol failed to provide effective Command and Control when pursuits crossed force boundaries, due to confusion, unclear communication, and misperceptions of authority. This created a significant safety risk, despite not directly contributing to these deaths.

Concerns summary A coach driver avoided emergency braking, despite seeing a pedestrian, due to training prioritising passenger welfare. Emergency braking procedures are not a required part of bus and coach driver training.

Concerns summary The current system illogically allows individuals to purchase and keep a car without possessing a driving license, raising concerns about road safety.

Concerns summary A public bridleway's junction with a main road has severely restricted visibility and lacks measures to slow down cyclists or pedestrians. This design creates a high collision risk, particularly for children.

Concerns summary A van's design created a large blind spot masking pedestrians, compounded by a lack of audible impact sensors and insufficient driver training and appraisal.

Concerns summary The A44 footpath crossing has limited visibility for both pedestrians and motorists, exacerbated by foliage, inadequate safety barriers, poor crossing design, traffic speed, and insufficient signage.

Concerns summary Inadequate road drainage at a specific location causes dangerous surface water accumulation during heavy rainfall, leading to aquaplaning incidents that could be prevented by feasible improvements.

Concerns summary A busy road junction has dangerously obscured vision for exiting vehicles due to its layout, bend, and foliage, exacerbated by a 50mph speed limit on the main road, risking collisions.

Concerns summary Obstructed visibility from a hedge at a road junction (Green Lane onto A525) creates an ongoing risk of future vehicle collisions and potential loss of life.

Concerns summary Smart motorways with no hard shoulder create risks for broken-down vehicles, compounded by occupant proximity to running lanes and confusion from mixing smart and traditional motorways.

Concerns summary A dangerous road junction is prone to collisions due to drivers cutting corners, sun glare impairing visibility, and a lack of effective signage or road design to mitigate risks.

Concerns summary The positioning, brightness, and color of rear flashing LED lights on trailers can mask or be misinterpreted as turn indicators, hindering other drivers' ability to discern turning intentions.

Concerns summary Lack of mandatory standards and inspection for river ford depth gauges, combined with poor inter-agency information sharing on previous incidents, creates significant safety risks, especially with increasing severe rainfall.

Concerns summary The apparent lack of adequate signage, such as warnings for hidden dips or recent incidents, increases the risk of future road traffic collisions at the site.

Concerns summary High collision rates persist on a road where speeding is ignored, compounded by an unsafe junction lacking stop signs and adequate visibility, necessitating speed cameras and mirrors.

Concerns summary The absence of mandatory rear cameras on Large Goods Vehicles creates critical blind spots, contributing to collisions with pedestrians during reversing manoeuvres.

Concerns summary Police protocols regarding the constant use of in-car radios and timely siren deployment were not followed, raising concerns about emergency response safety.

Concerns summary A road junction on the Downs Link remains hazardous for cyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians, lacking safe crossing infrastructure, such as a Pegasus crossing or bridge, and suffering from poor sight lines.

Concerns summary Converging surface water on the A390, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, creates a significant aquaplaning risk. Feasible drainage improvements have not yet been implemented despite a previous incident.

Concerns summary A lack of safety barriers between the highway and a storm drain at a road exit poses a significant risk of cyclists and vehicles falling into it.

Concerns summary An uneven pedestrian pavement creates a future fall risk, particularly for elderly individuals with reduced mobility.

Concerns summary Unsafe industry practice of 'mounding' tipper lorry loads above side height, combined with inadequate sheeting systems that fail to cover the load, increases the risk of materials falling from vehicles.

Concerns summary A concealed road junction on a downhill stretch lacks warning signs, posing a significant hazard to drivers unfamiliar with the acute turn and stationary vehicles.

Concerns summary A vehicle should have been taken out of service due to multiple safety defects, including worn tyres and a fractured arm pivot, but remained in use after an inspection.