Nana Boateng

During the course of the inquest the evidence I had been provided with a copy of a collision investigation report prepared by of Wiltshire Constabulary. In the report I had regard to a number of photographs but in particular I noted a photograph that appeared on page 29 of 39 of his report which showed the approach to the left hand bend where the incident took place at night. As part of any road traffic Inquest I use Google Earth and in particular the “street view” function in order to get a feel for the location where the incident took place. I have

Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner's Office, 26 Endless Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DP Tel 01722 438900 | Fax 01722 332223 included with this report three additional pictures of the location that have been lifted from Google Earth. The imagery was as at May 2017 according to the web browser which of course was some seven months prior to Nana’s death. The photographs show the northern approach to the left-hand bend which is exactly the same path that Nana would have been travelling on that Christmas Eve morning. Whilst the state of the road surface appears to be in good condition what is not in good condition are the road markings. It is clear from the first picture that this section of road being a sharp left-hand bend travelling south is subject to no overtaking restrictions in both directions. Looking at the photographs the white lines that should be present in the centre of the highway have been significantly worn away to the extent that immediately approaching the left-hand bend they are non-existent. I was informed and as can be seen from the photograph in the police collision report, the cats eyes are also not in working condition.

I appreciate that one should drive at a speed relative to the road conditions but in this instance, it is clear from the photographs that the road markings effectively suddenly disappear as a result of road wear. Whilst I was not able to make a finding on a balance of probabilities that the absence and the poor state of these central road markings more likely than not contributed to Nana losing positional awareness on the highway and crossing onto the opposite side of the highway where upon a collision then ensued as he attempted to return to his side of the highway, it does remain a possibility hence this report.

I am sure you will appreciate road markings provide not only guidance to road users so that they can position their vehicle accordingly on the public highway but also serve to provide information to road users, as in this case, that this section of highway was subject to no overtaking in both directions. I would ask in view of this report that you urgently review this section of highway as its current state in terms of road markings is of great concern to me.