Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Harry Simmons

Ref: 2022-0028 Date: 3 Feb 2022 Coroner: Deborah Archer Area: Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

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.

Date 3 Feb 2022

56-day deadline 31 Mar 2022 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI 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.

View full coroner's concerns

(1) Acting Police Inspector gave evidence to the inquest as follows:
1. In his opinion as Mr Simmons was at least ½ way across the road if the driver had not turned into the junction on the incorrect side of the road, he would have most likely avoided him
2. The sun is a particular hazard at that junction and would have had an effect on the ability of the driver to see Mr Simmons.
3. Double yellow lines in his opinion would not prevent a further accident of this nature.
4. A pedestrian refuge in the centre of the road on the junction of Montpellier Road and Beacon Park Road together with a keep left sign would prevent vehicles cutting the corner and causing a similar accident again.
5. There have been 3 collisions on this junction in the last 5 years, 2 of which have cited the sun as a contributory factor.
6. There is local knowledge to suggest that drivers cutting this corner is a commonplace occurrence as the sharp turn right to the correct side of the road is a more difficult manoeuvre to make.

Responses

1 respondent

Plymouth City Council Local Authority / Fire Service

12 Aug 2022 PDF

Action Planned

Plymouth City Council has designed a scheme including a humped zebra crossing, narrowing of a junction, and parking restrictions. They are bidding for funding to construct the scheme later in the current financial year or early in 2022/23, subject to consultation. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear HM Coroner’s Office,

I apologise for the delay in responding to you on this matter.

The City Council have undertaken a study into the circumstances leading to the collision and have commissioned a scheme design to deal with the identified highway issues involved.

I attach a copy of the draft design which is not yet in the public domain.

The scheme elements are as follows

1. Provision of a Humped Zebra Crossing to slow traffic down on the approach to the Montpellier Rd junction from the west. *

2. Narrowing of the junction bell mouth and provision of a formal pedestrian crossing facility

3. Introduction of Parking Restrictions at the junction to improve inter-visibility for all road users. *

The scheme is estimated to cost in the region of £70,000 and I am currently bidding for funding to enable construction to go ahead.

* Introduction of both road humps and waiting restrictions is subject to a statutory consultation process which cannot be predetermined.

Conditional on the availability of a budget and the results of the public consultation I would hope to construct the scheme later in the current financial year or early in 2022/23.

If you have any queries regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact me.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 18th September 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Harry Edward Simmons age 87. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20th January 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was as accident, and the medical cause of death was 1a) Traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage with burst lobe and II) Complications of bilateral lower limb fractures in an elderly man.

Circumstances of the death

Mr Simmons was walking along the footpath on Beacon Hill Road, Plymouth PL2 3 LU and had got as far as crossing with the junction on Montpellier Road when a driver of a red Astra Motor vehicle came from the direction of Beacon Hill Road, turned right into Montpellier Road and struck Mr Simmons whilst he crossed Montpellier Road. The driver had cut the corner of the junction and instead of making a right hand turn into the left-hand side of Montpellier Road he had crossed into Montpellier Road by turning in on the incorrect right-hand side of the junction. As he did so he hit Mr Simmons who was ½ way across the road by the time the collision happened. As the driver struck Mr Simmons he fell to the floor and became trapped under the front wheel of the car. Mr Simmons died of his injuries later in hospital. The driver was prosecuted in the Magistrates court, and it was revealed during the police investigation that there was no defect in the car, the driver provided a negative breath test and also passed the eyesight test at the scene. The driver accepted that he had not seen Mr Simmons and he was driving the car on a bright sunny morning with his sun visor down, the driver was not speeding or otherwise in a hurry.

Action should be taken

In my opinion you should review the road safety measures at this junction and action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action.

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

Related inquiry recommendations

Report details

Reference: 2022-0028
Date of report: 3 February 2022
Coroner: Deborah Archer
Coroner area: Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 31 Mar 2022 (estimated).

Sent to

Plymouth City Council

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.