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).
PFD Reports
503 resultsAndrew Brown
All Responded
2022-0371
21 Nov 2022
West London
Metropolitan Police Service
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The Metropolitan Police's Driver & Vehicle Policy lacks sufficient focus on other road users' safety and contains ambiguous guidelines on the "silent approach" and use of warning equipment.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The MPS will include more specific wording in the MPS Police Driver and Vehicle Policy – Vehicle and Equipment SOP in relation to the use of warning equipment around vulnerable road users and pedestrians, and will undertake a review of the Policy.
Matthew Rouch
All Responded
2022-0335
24 Oct 2022
South Wales Central
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The A48 'Forage roundabout junction' is deemed dangerous, requiring urgent changes to enhance road user awareness and implement traffic calming measures to prevent further fatalities.
Disputed
(AI summary)
The Vale of Glamorgan Council disputes that the 'Forage roundabout junction' is dangerous, asserting it conforms to design guidance and that advanced warning signage is adequate. However, the Council has published a Legal Order (TRO) with the intention of reducing the speed limit on the A48 Cowbridge bypass subject to identifying available budget.
Adam Simms
All Responded
2022-0320
17 Oct 2022
North Lincolnshire and Grimsby
North Lincolnshire Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Blocked drainage gullies were missed during inspections, causing significant standing water on the carriageway. The unexplained accumulation of water indicates an ongoing highway safety risk.
Disputed
(AI summary)
North Lincolnshire Council concludes that the event was unforeseeable due to extreme rainfall and that no further action is needed, as subsequent inspections found no standing water.
Charles Stringer
All Responded
2022-0317
10 Oct 2022
Surrey
Surrey County Council, Highways Agency …
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The council demonstrated a lack of reflection and action on pothole management, with insufficient information for inspectors, mechanistic risk assessments, poor communication, and slow repairs.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Surrey County Council has reinforced the process for Surrey Police and the Surrey Contact Centre to notify the Highways Service immediately in the event of serious injuries or deaths related to road defects, and instructed Customer Care Centre operatives to make direct contact with Highways if there are any uncertainties.
Aaron Edwards
All Responded
2022-0302
27 Sep 2022
South Wales Central
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A dangerous road junction with poor visibility, exacerbated by school traffic, requires safety improvements to prevent further deaths from high-speed driving.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Merthyr Tydfil Council disputes the coroner's concern about visibility at the junction. However, they state that planned road layout changes as part of the Welsh Governments A465 dualling project will remove the bridge/parapet obstruction, and the Gurnos Ring Road will become 20mph in September 2023.
Louise Bailey
All Responded
2022-0200
Inner South London
Metropolitan Police Service, The Colleg…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Police drivers lack critical information and training regarding closer units, preventing them from completing full risk assessments before responding to emergency calls.
Disputed
(AI summary)
The National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Policing acknowledge concerns regarding risk assessment and radio communication but clarify that 'Roadcraft' is a driver training reference, not official policy. They assert that officers and dispatchers are responsible for dynamic risk assessment. The Metropolitan Police Service is amending the Airwave manual to clarify procedures around self-assignment to incidents. They are also procuring a replacement Command and Control System designed to assign vehicles based on distance and skill set.
Nargis Begum
All Responded
2025-0287
16 Sep 2022
South Yorkshire East
Highways England
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The public lacks crucial understanding and awareness regarding their responsibility to report motorway incidents, despite existing SMART motorway campaigns, leaving stationary vehicles a significant hazard.
Noted
(AI summary)
National Highways expresses sympathy and highlights existing measures to improve safety, including public awareness campaigns and the Smart Motorway Safety Evidence Stocktake and Action Plan. They urge road users to inform themselves about emergency procedures and who to contact.
Jennifer Dyer
All Responded
2022-0168
East Sussex
East Sussex County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
East Sussex's pothole categorisation system is flawed, as a "low risk" pothole led to a fatality, indicating the need for a significant review of risk assessment criteria.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
East Sussex County Council has introduced an enhanced risk-based approach for highway safety inspections, allowing inspectors to re-categorise potholes based on location and road usage, not just size. A separate review of the specific case and further research into cycleway maintenance are underway.
Albert Manley
All Responded
2022-0161
Wiltshire and Swindon
Highways and Transport and Wiltshire Co…
Concerns
On the 7 June 2021 I accepted the transfer of an investigation into the death of Albert Thomas Stafford Manley who was known to his family as "Jim". I went on to open Jim's Inquest on the 14 June...
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Wiltshire Council will add 'SLOW' road markings to the Council’s road marking programme of works for the coming months. However, a review concluded that existing road sign arrangements are adequate, and no further amendments are proposed for signs.
Jennifer Wong
All Responded
2023-0010Deceased
2 Sep 2022
Oxfordshire
Department for Transport
Oxfordshire County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A poorly designed nearside cycle lane creates confusion and places cyclists in conflict with right-turning vehicles, exacerbated by the lane being narrower than recommended standards.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Oxfordshire County Council has already undertaken a detailed review of the Plain Roundabout and The Parkway junction with amendments planned to be implemented in November 2022, and has reviewed key junctions deemed a potential risk to vulnerable road users with input from cycle safety groups. The Department for Transport will write to the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) to raise the issue of compliance with regulations and encourage its members to consider additional devices or technology to help improve mobile crane driver vision.
Jennifer Davies
All Responded
2023-0098Deceased
30 Aug 2022
West Sussex
Department for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Delivery van drivers, exempt from Working Time Regulations, can work excessively long hours without mandatory breaks, posing a significant risk to public safety, particularly pedestrians in populated areas.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The Department for Transport will coordinate with the DVSA and ask them to investigate the case if provided with details of the driver's employer, to assess whether the delivery company adhered to working time and health and safety legislation regarding adequate rest.
Yuksel Ismail
All Responded
2022-0263
25 Aug 2022
Bedfordshire and Luton
Bedford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The Trust updated its Transfer Policy in collaboration with ELFT, adding a section on patient transfers for those at risk of absconding. The Emergency Department and Safeguarding Team reviewed MCA and restraint training, updating it for junior doctors, and implemented monthly shared learning forums.
Brandon Pryde and David Faulkner
All Responded
2022-0250
12 Aug 2022
Manchester South
Greater Manchester Police and Roads and…
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Noted
(AI summary)
GMP is creating a training schedule to deliver an Initial Pursuit course (IPP) to traffic officers over the next 6-9 months, a 4-day tactical phase commanders' course in the final stages of design, and training for Team 3 dispatch operators, which is planned to take place within the next 6-9 months. Cheshire Constabulary, as lead force of the NWMPG, will deliver a training package regarding command protocols for cross-border pursuits and will monitor GMP's training package to disseminate best practices. Cheshire Police (on behalf of the NWMPG) and GMP have revised the managing pursuits protocol and produced a clearer document which removes the previous ambiguity on the issue of Command and Control. No content in response. Cheshire Constabulary, as lead force of the NWMPG, will deliver a training package regarding command protocols for cross-border pursuits and will monitor GMP's training package to disseminate best practices. Cheshire Police (on behalf of the NWMPG) and GMP have revised the managing pursuits protocol and produced a clearer document which removes the previous ambiguity on the issue of Command and Control.
Stanley Hardy
All Responded
2022-0237
2 Aug 2022
Newcastle and North Tyneside
Department for Transport
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
While the Department for Transport believes there is already an adequate framework, the DVSA will review all learning materials where emergency braking skills are covered at the next opportunity and consider whether these sections could benefit from additional or stronger information.
Charles Wheatley
All Responded
2022-0304
29 Jul 2022
County Durham and Darlington
Department for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The current system illogically allows individuals to purchase and keep a car without possessing a driving license, raising concerns about road safety.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Department for Transport explains that there is no legal requirement to hold a driving licence to register a vehicle, or to become the keeper of an already registered vehicle, and outlines circumstances where this might occur.
Stephen Coombes
Partially Responded
2022-0229
25 Jul 2022
Suffolk
Kier Highways Ltd
Suffolk Highways
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate signage for a temporary 30 mph speed limit, with higher speed limit signs remaining visible, led to confusion for road users and police. This failure significantly increased the risk of collisions at a known road defect.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Kier obscures existing speed limit signs and road markings when implementing temporary speed reductions, checks temporary traffic management daily, updated its WMS (Work Management System) to ensure checks are scheduled from the point of installation. They have also implemented an enhanced procedure with an audit program and provided enhanced guidance and toolbox talks to work gangs and completed a site investigation and options study of Burnt Fen Turnpike.
Ethan Wright
All Responded
2022-0226
25 Jul 2022
Suffolk
Suffolk Highways
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The council plans to install an illuminated 'STOP' sign, paint a white stop line, paint 'STOP' on the tarmac, and paint the existing concrete bollards with yellow and black paint. Installation is planned within 15 weeks.
Michael Shuttleworth
All Responded
2022-0224
22 Jul 2022
West Yorkshire Eastern
Mercedes-Benz
UPS
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Noted
(AI summary)
Mercedes-Benz clarifies its role as a supplier of a 'cowl' chassis and states that the modifications to the vehicle were the responsibility of Firma Sommer, who converted it into a complete vehicle. The driver was dismissed, and UPS details its driver training and assessment procedures, including a 'Space and Visibility' program. The company refutes that it provides no feedback.
Paul Morris and Alison Morris
All Responded
2022-0295
8 Jun 2022
Herefordshire
Herefordshire Council and Balfour Beatt…
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Balfour Beatty Living Places reports that, following consultation with Herefordshire Council, vegetation will be removed to increase sight lines to 160 meters, bi-annual clearance around the VRS barrier will be carried out, and a Traffic Regulation Order review of the speed limit is underway with a view to reducing it to 50mph, with completion hoped within 9 months. Herefordshire Council will consult on lowering the speed limit to 50mph and will review signing and lining along the bypass, implementing any improvements prior to March 2023, likely to include pedestrian warning signs on each approach to the three existing locations where public rights of way cross the bypass.
Ryan Taylor
All Responded
2022-0418Deceased
25 May 2022
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Cormac and Cornwall Council
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Cormac and Cornwall Council report that they have completed significant drainage improvements in the area of the accident, including installing nearly 500m of combined kerb drainage and increasing the capacity of over 400m of underlying carrier drains.
Sangeerth Girirathan
All Responded
2022-0151
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS F…
Secretary of State for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Alarms on ICU monitors were disengaged, preventing staff from being alerted to critical patient deterioration, which resulted in a cardiac arrest.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Department for Transport outlined existing GB domestic and working time regulations for drivers of light goods vehicles. They stated that if the driver fell asleep due to inadequate rest, existing regulations would apply, and offered to coordinate with DVSA for an investigation if employer details are provided. NHS Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has communicated to all Registered Nurses (RNs) and senior staff via matrons and safety huddles, reiterating the importance of active monitor alarms and staff visibility. Senior nursing teams have also provided initial training on transferring data from monitors to modules, which will be added to medical equipment training.
Michael Draper and Rafal Wojdyl
All Responded
2022-0143
13 May 2022
Manchester West
Salford City Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The report requests a review of the junction of Fairhills Road with Cadishead Way, Irlam, regarding the layout, speed limit, restricted views, and the potential need for traffic signals.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Salford City Council's Collision Investigation Team carried out a detailed investigation into the junction following the collision, and have undertaken and are implementing actions relating to the layout, speed limit, restricted view and provision of traffic signals at the junction of Fairhills Road with Cadishead Way.
Michael Williams
Partially Responded
2022-0134
9 May 2022
North Wales (East & Central)
Hollybush House, Green Lane, Bangor on …
Wrexham County Borough Council
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The council will cut back a hedge bordering the A525 and Hollybush House and speak to the new owner about future maintenance. They also intend to make Green Lane one-way to prevent vehicles exiting onto the A525 where visibility is limited, with residents' support.
Zoltan Torok
All Responded
2022-0088
21 Mar 2022
Berkshire
Highways England
Concerns summary (AI 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.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
National Highways states that the section of motorway was under temporary traffic management and not operating as a smart motorway at the time of the incident, so they do not believe any additional actions are needed, but they have completed the roll-out of stopped vehicle detection on over 200 miles of ALR motorway, installed extra signs, and upgraded enforcement cameras. They also committed to deliver a £390 million programme to install additional emergency areas across operational sections.
Margaret Lewis
Partially Responded
2022-0080
14 Mar 2022
South Wales Central
Canal and River Trust
Powys County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Highway safety risks exist for pedestrians crossing a 60mph road from a canal towpath, compounded by quiet electric cars, earphone use, and sun glare, increasing accident reoccurrence.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The Trust will install warning signage on both sides of 40 kissing gates (30 in Wales, 10 in England) along the Montgomery canal to alert towpath users to an upcoming road crossing.