Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

David Curtis

Ref: 2016-0144 Date: 31 Mar 2016 Coroner: John Tomalin Area: Exeter and Greater Devon Responses identified: 1 / 2 View PDF

Inconsistent and inadequate road signage fails to warn motorists of a critical left-hand bend immediately beyond a hill crest, unlike the opposite direction which has appropriate warnings.

Date 31 Mar 2016

56-day deadline 26 May 2016 est.

Responses identified 1 of 2

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

Inconsistent and inadequate road signage fails to warn motorists of a critical left-hand bend immediately beyond a hill crest, unlike the opposite direction which has appropriate warnings.

View full coroner's concerns

_ When approaching from the Okehampton direction (the direction in which the motorcycle was travelling) , there is warning triangle sign advising motorists that they are approaching a 12% decrease in the gradient: There is no warning triangle indicating left hand bend ahead, Conversely, when travelling from the opposite direction (Halwill towards Okehampton) there is a warning triangle indicating a right hand bend ahead and immediately below that there is another warning traffic sign indicating a slippery road: There was no signage warning vehicle users approaching the Halwill direction; the apparent course of the road ahead is denoted by the convergence of hedge lines towards the right. Photographs taken of the road from Halwill towards Okehampton (the direction the motorcycle was travelling) show the crest of the hill but does not indicate that there is left hand bend immediately beyond that crest until the driver or rider arrives at that crest If it was deemed necessary to warn drivers travelling from Halwill towards Okehampton that there is a right hand bend ahead, which can be seen from some distance away in that particular carriageway; it would seem appropriate to consider that drivers travelling from Okehampton towards Halwill should have the benefit of warning triangle sign indicating the left hand bend ahead, particularly where that bend cannot be seen until the hill is crested;

Responses

1 respondent

Devon County Council Local Authority / Fire Service

31 Jul 2016 PDF

Action Planned

Devon County Council will erect a left-hand bend warning sign in advance of the crest of the hill on the A3079; work is anticipated to be completed by 31st July 2016. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Mr Tomalin File No. 1509/15 David Alan CURTIS Deceased Inquest held on 26 February 2016 at Barnstaple Council Chambers, Barnstaple Thank you for the Regulation 28 report following the Inquest into the death of Mr David Alan Curtis_ can confirm that we are arranging for a left hand bend warning sign to be erected in advance of the crest of the hill on the A3079 as recommended. It is anticipated that this will work will be completed by 31st July 2016,or earlier if possible.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 15 July 2015 commenced an investigation into the death of David Alan CURTIS. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 26 February 2016_ The Conclusion of the Inquest was "Road Traffic Collision" . Mr Curtis died from 'moving blunt force trauma to the head and chest"

Circumstances of the death

Mr Curtis was riding his Suzuki motorcyclel along the A3079 Holsworthy Road; Okehampton, Devon: The motorcycle was travelling north-westerly towards Thorndon Cross from Okehampton in the general direction of Halwill; The motorcycle collided with John Deere tractor travellina in an easterly direction towards Cross_ The registration of tractor is The weather conditions were good_ the road was dry and in good condition_ As the motorcycle crested the hill from the Okehampton direction; instead of negotiating the left hand bend at the top of that hill, it travelled straight on, colliding with the nearside front wheel of the tractor: The motorcycle and the rider finished up in the gateway to field and lane entrance on the opposite side of the road. No mechanical defects were found with either the tractor or the motorcycle_ The Police Forensic Collision Investigator concluded that the motorcycle was travelling at speed in excess of the national speed limit and, in any event, the left hand band if the motorcyclist knew was there, could have been negotiated at speed above the national speed limit: The tractor had remained at all times in its correct carriageway Foley the not

There was nothing that the motorcyclist or the tractor driver could have done to avoid the collision once the motorcyclist had crossed into the opposite carriageway in front of the tractor.

Action should be taken

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action and to consider the appropriateness of warning signs or otherwise to assist and drivers and riders of the presence of a left hand bend on cresting the hill on the A3079 Okehampton to Halwill carriageway, prior to the scene of this collision;

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Report details

Reference: 2016-0144
Date of report: 31 March 2016
Coroner: John Tomalin
Coroner area: Exeter and Greater Devon

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 2

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 26 May 2016 (estimated).

Sent to

Devon County Council

Devon Highways

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.