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
Andrew Biddlecombe
All Responded
2021-0053 25 Feb 2021 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton
Emsworth Surgery
Concerns summary (AI summary) The deceased was not advised about medical conditions impacting driving ability or the legal requirement to notify the DVLA, and the practice failed to inform the DVLA.
Action Taken (AI summary) Emsworth Surgery has reviewed templates for chronic disease reviews to ensure they include questions about driving status. They have written to patients on Epilepsy and Parkinson's registers to remind them of their responsibilities to inform the DVLA, and sent a medication leaflet to patients on Ropinirole detailing possible side effects.
David Blinman
All Responded
2021-0054 24 Feb 2021 South Wales Central
DHL Supply Chain UKI
Concerns summary (AI summary) Deficient risk assessments failed to incorporate local knowledge, inadequately addressed vehicle blind spots during reversing, and did not mandate crucial mitigating measures like cameras or banksmen.
Action Taken (AI summary) DHL has standardised a base vehicle safety specification which is updated following incident reviews and technology developments, including fitting 4-camera systems to all rigid vehicles procured directly by them since 2015. They will also ensure risk assessors are aware of the need to use clear terminology when describing delivery control measures in the revised Nisa DPRA process.
David Lewis
All Responded
2021-0173 19 Feb 2021 Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) Drivers fail to notice a roundabout approached from a bend, indicating a need for further engineering solutions like rumble strips to provide additional warnings.
Action Taken (AI summary) The council has reduced speed limits, improved signage, and made speed limit signs more conspicuous with reflective yellow backing boards since the incident. They will also consider additional painted speed limit roundels and propose removing the short third lane by painting hatched lines on it.
Aaron Lauder
All Responded
2021-0021 Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Cornwall Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) The primary cause of the collision was an obstructed view for both drivers at the accident site.
Action Planned (AI summary) Cornwall Council has agreed to fund a scheme to improve visibility at the farm access, with Cormac's Safety Engineering team having begun the design process and work planned for autumn.
Alexandru Murgeanu and Jason Mercer
Partially Responded
2021-0013 19 Jan 2021 South Yorkshire West
Department for Transport Highways England Secretary of State for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary) Smart motorways present foreseeable risks due to the absence of a hard shoulder and the inability to quickly identify stationary vehicles, necessitating better driver awareness and a wider public inquiry beyond inquest limitations.
Action Taken (AI summary) National Highways details numerous actions taken following a stocktake, including installing stopped vehicle detection systems, increasing traffic officers, changing the law to enable automatic detection of Red X violations, and converting dynamic hard shoulder motorways to all lane running. They have launched a road safety campaign and are updating the Highway Code. The Department for Transport commissioned a review of Smart Motorways, is abolishing dynamic hard shoulder motorways, and has launched a £5m campaign to remind road users to ‘Go Left’ in breakdowns. They are upgrading cameras to detect Red X violations and updating the Highway Code with improved safety information.
Daniel Hughes
All Responded
2020-0295 22 Dec 2020 Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
Highways England National Traffic Opera…
Concerns summary (AI summary) Road safety concerns at a blind bend include poor visibility for right turns from a driveway, inappropriate speed limits, and the absence of warning signs.
Noted (AI summary) Highways England reviewed the location and determined that visibility is the responsibility of the property owner, the speed limit is appropriate, and they are not permitted to place a concealed driveway warning sign. No action is proposed.
Holly Chevassut
All Responded
2020-0303 2 Dec 2020 Coventry and Warwickshire
GRS Recovery
Concerns summary (AI summary) Certain vehicle configurations, with low-height, protruding mirrors and guards, create a risk of serious injury or death to people overtaken by these vehicles.
Action Taken (AI summary) GRS Recovery has removed the offending mirrors, and rotated the remaining mirrors to reduce the width of the vehicles.
Ibrahima Yahaia
All Responded
2020-0262 1 Dec 2020 Bedfordshire and Luton
Luton Borough Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) The Busway has significant design flaws with numerous accessible pedestrian entry points, insufficient warning signage, and a lack of physical barriers, leading to repeated severe incidents.
Action Taken (AI summary) Luton Council is completing an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the police in relation to operations, traffic regulation and investigation of incidents, and have included the Health & Safety Executive in the process of reviewing safety measures. Any faded or missing signs on the Hatters Way section of the busway have been replaced, and the rest of the Busway is being reviewed for upgrading of signage.
Daniel Bancroft
All Responded
2020-0244 16 Nov 2020 Cumbria
Highways England Co. Ltd and Cumbria Co…
Concerns summary (AI summary) Dangerous road conditions on the A66 include a lack of pedestrian warnings, rapid acceleration onto an unlit section, poor lighting, and national speed limit signs placed too close to a roundabout.
Noted (AI summary) Cumbria County Council stated that the Road Traffic Collision occurred on the Highways England Authority's road network. They regularly meet with Highways England to discuss road safety but Highways England will address the issues raised. Highways England will install 'no pedestrian' signs and bollards on the A66 Stainburn Bypass within 3-6 months and also install pedestrian direction signing during the same timeframe. They concluded no other actions are required regarding speed limit proximity to the roundabout and lighting.
Daniel Waite
All Responded
2020-0241 16 Nov 2020 Mid Kent and Medway
Highways Department Kent County Council…
Concerns summary (AI summary) The A20 Ashford Road lacks parking restrictions and requirements for warning signage, allowing large vehicles to park unsafely and posing a significant risk to other road users.
Action Taken (AI summary) Kent County Council has installed 'clearway' signs and implemented a temporary traffic regulation order prohibiting parking on the section of dual carriageway. A permanent traffic regulation order with permanent posts and signage will replace the temporary order.
William Turner
Partially Responded
2020-0209 15 Oct 2020 County Durham and Darlington
Department for Transport Secretary of State for Transport's Hono…
Concerns summary (AI summary) Current DVLA regulations for driving licences following epileptic seizures may need review, as a driver potentially experiencing a seizure lawfully held a licence, leading to a fatal incident.
Action Planned (AI summary) The DVLA will ask the Secretary of State for Transport’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Disorders of the Nervous System to review the period of time required off driving before someone who has suffered a seizure can regain their driving licence.
Brian Griffiths
All Responded
2020-0203 9 Oct 2020 Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
South Wales Police
Concerns summary (AI summary) An opportunity was missed to assess an elderly driver's fitness after a previous collision, highlighting the need for robust driver referral schemes to take unsafe drivers off the road.
Action Planned (AI summary) South Wales Police plans to implement an elderly person referral scheme by May 2021, informed by a similar scheme in Dyfed Powys Police, and are discussing implementation with Criminal Justice Services, the Motoring Unit and the Wales Mobility Driver Assessment Service.
Frazer Golden
All Responded
2020-0197 5 Oct 2020 County Durham and Darlington
Durham County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) Confusing "SLOW" road markings on a 60mph road and a lack of warning signs or hazard lines on a bend with reduced visibility created a dangerous road environment.
Action Planned (AI summary) Durham County Council will remove two SLOW road markings and erect bend warning signs on both approaches to the bend. These measures are planned for implementation by 31st March 2021.
Mollie Gifford
Partially Responded
2020-0211 30 Sep 2020 Birmingham and Solihull
Department for Transport Drivers and Vehicle Standards Agency
Concerns summary (AI summary) Standard lorry mirrors provide distorted, inadequate vision and are prone to dirt, creating an avoidable blind spot risk for drivers and posing a danger to other road users.
Action Planned (AI summary) The Department for Transport notes that camera-monitor systems are permitted as an alternative to mirrors. It is working internationally to develop requirements to improve vision for drivers around large goods vehicles, including improved direct vision and warning systems for vulnerable road users, with agreement anticipated later in the year.
Ellie Isaacs
All Responded
2020-0169 7 Sep 2020 East London
Havering Highways
Concerns summary (AI summary) Obstructed driver views, a Pelicon crossing located after a high-speed zone, and high non-compliance with traffic signals at the crossing create a dangerous environment for pedestrians.
Noted (AI summary) TfL renewed the 30mph signs, resurfaced the Gallows Corner roundabout including renewal of surfacing and markings, and liaised with the Gallows Corner Retail Park to request maintenance of vegetation and trees. They will undertake a further safety review and address any further actions identified by 31 March 2021. Havering Council acknowledges the incident location is on the A12, for which Transport for London is the Highway Authority. While they undertook a site inspection, they do not feel that there are any actions Havering Council can take.
Bartosz Kusiak
All Responded
2020-0139 10 Jul 2020 County Durham and Darlington
Durham County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) An unlit dual carriageway with a national speed limit, lacking a footpath, is extremely unsafe for pedestrians. Visibility for drivers was inadequate, making emergency stops impossible within the available range.
Action Planned (AI summary) Durham County Council plans to install measures by March 31, 2021, to deter pedestrian access to the A690 dual carriageway, including proactive signage, guardrail, wayfinding signs, foliage clearance, and removal of access to a public footpath.
Joan Williams
Historic (No Identified Response)
2020-0128 16 Jun 2020 Bedfordshire and Luton Coroner
Department for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary) The deceased, with dementia, continued driving despite medical advice, highlighting a systemic risk where current legislation places primary responsibility on the driver to inform the DVLA rather than mandating direct clinical referral.
Grant Macdonald
Partially Responded
2020-0131 15 Jun 2020 Liverpool and the Wirral
Liverpool City Council Merseyside Police
Concerns summary (AI summary) The junction is considered unsafe due to a history of collisions and concerns regarding the safety of vehicles performing U-turn maneuvers across the carriageway to a central reservation.
Noted (AI summary) Liverpool City Council acknowledges the concerns regarding a fatality on Hornby Road, but states that no engineering measures, signage, lines or physical infrastructure contributed to the collision. They will continue to monitor the route, but do not consider there is adequate justification to close the gaps in the central reservation at this time.
Mitica Ladunca
All Responded
2020-0125 9 Jun 2020 Surrey
Surrey County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) A lack of adequate signage warning A322 drivers about a pedestrian crossing point creates a safety hazard for those traversing both carriageways.
Action Planned (AI summary) The Area Highway Manager will install advance signage at the location of the incident, scheduled for 29/30 September, coordinated with the County’s high speed Traffic Management programme.
Russell Curwen
All Responded
2023-0122 24 Apr 2020 Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen
Department for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary) The legal framework for "blood bike" volunteers' use of emergency vehicle exemptions (blue lights, speed limits) for routine courier services appears unclear, potentially leading to unsafe practices or misapplication of regulations.
Noted (AI summary) The Department for Transport expresses sympathy and acknowledges the coroner's report. The response states the department is opposed to extending exemptions to road traffic laws and describes that existing laws and procedures did not appear to be followed in the incident.
Millie Taylor-Noonan
All Responded
2020-0097 15 Apr 2020 Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council Highways De…
Concerns summary (AI summary) Inadequate pedestrian safety measures near a school crossing, including a lack of lighting, railings, dedicated crossings, crossing patrols, or temporary speed limits, creates a high-risk environment for students.
Action Taken (AI summary) Lincolnshire County Council will install street lighting as an exceptional case, improve road markings including SLOW and yellow SCHOOL zig-zag markings, install additional school warning signs, and provide school amber flashing lights. The school has also provided a teacher to marshal students at the school gate.
Dudley Howe
All Responded
2020-0079 25 Mar 2020 Norfolk
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Concerns summary (AI summary) HGV training lacks mandatory instruction on Class VI mirror use, which covers blind spots, and not all drivers are required to undertake vulnerable road user awareness courses, increasing collision risks.
Action Planned (AI summary) The DVSA will add two questions to the driving theory test for new LGV drivers regarding class VI (cyclops) mirrors, planned for the next reprint in autumn 2020. They will also promote Safe Urban Driving/VRU awareness courses and highlight mirror adjustment on social media.
Sonny Parmar
All Responded
2020-0075 24 Mar 2020 London (North)
Barnet Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) There is no speed limit on the road adjacent to the school, failing to slow traffic during critical times when children are arriving and leaving the school.
Action Taken (AI summary) Barnet Council installed vehicle activated speed signs and renewed anti-skid surfacing near the crossing. They also programmed work to remove a dropped kerb and add guardrails, scheduled to commence 16 June 2020.
Liam Clark
All Responded
2020-0030 18 Feb 2020 Staffordshire South
Commissioner for Highways
Concerns summary (AI summary) A fatal road collision involving an agricultural vehicle with a protruding boom highlights the need for a review of road layout, signage, and safety improvements at the A5 junction.
Noted (AI summary) Highways England reviewed the A5 junction with Streetway Road and concluded that no improvements are warranted at this time. The junction will be routinely monitored for collisions and the condition of highways assets. The Department for Transport will review advice in driver learning materials and consider a hazard perception clip covering tail-swing for the driver theory test. They will also raise the marking of projections with the National Farmers' Union to remind them of the need to provide and maintain warning signs where required.
James Anthony Lewis and Lorraine Molyneaux
Partially Responded
2020-0033 17 Feb 2020 Dorset
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Cou… Department for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary) Repeated pedestrian fatalities at an uncontrolled crossing point, driven by bus stop proximity and inadequate lighting, highlight an urgent need for a new controlled crossing and neglected funding applications.
Action Planned (AI summary) BCP Council will carry out a site assessment to confirm lighting levels and inform a new lighting design linked to the planned road layout adjustments and a new crossing. They will prioritize the additional survey and design work, although definitive timescales cannot be provided yet.