Unaddressed Road Safety Risks
Insufficient or inadequate risk assessments for hazardous road locations, failing to identify and mitigate dangers effectively.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
82match
#7 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
While we welcome the action plan, it is not clear whether the interventions that the Government and National Highways are rolling out will effectively mitigate the specific safety risks associated with the removal of the hard shoulder. Beginning in September 2022, the Office of Rail and Road should be tasked with evaluating how successful the action plan has...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
77match
Tracey Rooke
The coroner noted issues with the location, current state, and overall effectiveness of road signage in a particular area. Concerns were also raised regarding delays in implementing recommendations from a road safety assessment report, pending a coroner's PFD report.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
74match
#6 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
The Department and National Highways should: a) retrofit emergency refuge areas to existing all-lane running motorways to make them a maximum of 1,500 metres apart, decreasing to every 1,000 metres where physically possible; b) commission the Office of Rail and Road to conduct an independent evaluation of the effectiveness and operation of stopped vehicle detection technology, including maintenance...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
73match
David George White
The coroner raised concerns regarding road safety at the bend in the A19 at Owston, requesting consideration of specific measures to reduce road traffic-related injuries at this location.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
73match
#3 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
The design of our motorways and major roads can currently be altered without any independent assurance on safety by a regulatory body, which is a systemic weakness. The Department should make the introduction of changes to the design and operation of the Strategic Road Network depend on a formal health and safety assessment by the Office of Rail...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
73match
#1 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
The design of our motorways and strategic roads necessarily entails balancing competing priorities. However, successive Administrations, together with the Department and National Highways’ predecessor, Highways England, underestimated the scale of safety measures needed effectively and reliably to mitigate the risks associated with the permanent removal of the hard shoulder on all-lane running motorways. The Department and Highways England...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
69match
Rachael Dallison
The coroner noted numerous collisions on a specific road bend and inconsistent safety signage. Approaching the bend from one direction, there were bend and 'Slow' signs but no chevron, unlike the other direction.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
69match
Archibold Wellbelove
The coroner noted the Council's failure to review its night-lighting policy regarding pedestrian safety, particularly where a footpath discontinues and pedestrians regularly use the road during unlit hours.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
69match
Samuel Shaw
Concerns were raised regarding pedestrian safety on the A1 trunk road near Haggerston Holiday Park, specifically noting the unlit crossing, restricted visibility for drivers, and the absence of warning signs or a central refuge.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
69match
Saleh Ali Dalie
The coroner expressed concern about the safety of a residential road after several incidents and two fatalities, noting that requested road calming, parking restrictions, and crossing measures had not been introduced.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
69match
Yasmin Richards
The coroner noted a second death on the same A46 section within a year and recommended reviewing and reducing the speed limit on the 'Hartley Bends'. Improvements to road signs, carriageway markings, and the provision of rumble strips were also suggested to enhance driver safety.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
69match
Georgina Taylor
The coroner identified that there are no current requirements to inspect roadside soft estate, such as developing trees, to ensure their protection needs are assessed against modern road restraint system standards within safety thresholds.
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
69match
#8 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
The Government and National Highways should pause the rollout of all-lane running motorways to collect more data, to upgrade and then evaluate the safety of existing all-lane running schemes and to consider alternative options for enhancing capacity on the Strategic Road Network. The Government and National Highways should pause the rollout of new all-lane running schemes until: •...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
69match
#18 - A comprehensive legal framework for e-scooter use is required to address safety concerns.
There are currently 23 trials for e-scooter rentals in England but outside of these areas e-scooters are not legal on roads.44 Despite that, use of e-scooters has increased rapidly in recent years both within and beyond trial areas, sometimes with negative consequences, including safety, for other road users.45 We therefore asked witnesses about concerns among the public about...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
65match
Luke Lyons
The coroner noted that water egress from land alongside the road washed away grit, leading to black ice. A newly installed drain at the location appeared to be inadequate to prevent future occurrences.
Matched on
terms: road
Committee recommendation
65match
#34 - Poor footway infrastructure remains a key barrier to achieving active travel targets.
We questioned the Department on other challenges that local authorities are facing where updated guidance from the Department would be helpful. On active travel the Government has set a target of 50% of all short journeys being made by walking or cycling by 2030. The Department acknowledged that poor-quality infrastructure is a key barrier to achieve this and...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
65match
#9 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
Dynamic hard shoulder motorways apparently confuse drivers, because the hard shoulder is used unpredictably to tackle congestion. A more consistent approach, where the hard shoulder is used at known times, could clarify the situation for drivers without physically removing the hard shoulder. The Department for Transport and National Highways should pause plans to convert dynamic hard shoulder motorways...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Scottish FAI
64match
J.K. Sweeney, L. Sweeney, E.P. McQuade, S.C. Tait, G.M. Ewing and J. Morton
5.1 Doctors generally, and general practitioners in particular, should take steps to ensure that medical notes are made and kept in such a way as to maximise their ability to identify repeated episodes of loss of consciousness, loss of or altered awareness, in the case of patients who are or may become drivers. 5.2 When a doctor is...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
62match
#5 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
We welcome the steps that the Department is taking through the action plan to rebuild trust in smart motorways and to make them safer. However, we are concerned a) that emergency refuge areas will remain too far part on existing all-lane running schemes at up to 2.5 km; b) whether stopped vehicle detection technology is effective and reliable;...
Matched on
terms: safety
Committee recommendation
62match
#4 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
The available data on the safety of all-lane running motorways are limited and volatile. There are only five-years of safety data available for 29 miles of all-lane running motorways. The Department and National Highways should pause the rollout of all-lane running motorways until five-years of safety data is available for the remaining 112 miles of all-lane running motorway...
Matched on
terms: safety
Committee recommendation
62match
#36 - Autonomous vehicles require sufficient road line markings, presenting a future maintenance challenge.
We also asked the Department about the condition local roads would need to be in to support the introduction of autonomous vehicles from 2026. The Department recognised that there will be challenges. For example, one of the semi-autonomous technologies, already licensed for use on the strategic road network, require road line markings to be of a sufficient standard...
Matched on
terms: road
Committee recommendation
62match
#35 - Impact of heavier electric HGVs on road infrastructure and bridges remains unevaluated.
We asked the Department about the impact of heavier electric vehicles on road infrastructure. The Department told us that main roads are built to withstand a maximum vehicle weight (gross vehicle weight) of 44 tonnes, and although unclassified roads are built to a wide range of differing standards, the impact will not be significant with the weight of...
Matched on
terms: road
Committee recommendation
62match
#10 - Independent analysis and public perception confirm deterioration in local road conditions.
However, the Department also acknowledged that there has been a deterioration in the condition of local roads over recent years, based on independent reports and people’s perceptions in using the roads.15 The Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) estimated that in 2023–24, less than half of roads (48%) were in a ‘good’ structural condition, the lowest proportion since this measurement...
Matched on
terms: road
CJINI report
62match
Roads Policing: A Follow-Up Review of inspection recommendations
Matched on
terms: road
CJINI report
62match
Driving Change: Enforcement of road traffic legislation in Northern Ireland
Matched on
terms: road
CJINI report
62match
Driving Change: A Follow-up review of the 2016 enforcement of road traffic legislation in N.I.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
61match
Sadie Ann Jane McGrady
The coroner identifies concerns that substandard structural repairs to Category D insurance write-off vehicles can increase injury severity in collisions. There are insufficient independent checks on such repairs before vehicles return to the road, and the MOT process may not detect compromised structural integrity.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
61match
Kuldip Singh Dhillon
The coroner notes that unrestrained palletised loads are common practice nationwide, posing a risk to drivers. There are insufficient enforcement and auditing of road transport loading guidance by the Department of Transport.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
61match
Joseph Drew Whiteside
The coroner raises concerns following several deaths of intoxicated young men falling into the River Trent, identifying a need for a review of safety measures. The report suggests considering further actions such as fencing or warning signs at main river access points.
Matched on
terms: safety
PFD report
61match
Daniel Taylor
The coroner raised concerns regarding a specific road section where a collision occurred, recommending a review of the location for the appropriateness of warning signs or road markings.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
61match
Sopefoluwa Peters
Concerns were raised about steep, poorly illuminated steps lacking a handrail, making them difficult to negotiate. Additionally, a low riverside wall opposite the steps was noted as an insufficient safety barrier.
Matched on
terms: safety
PFD report
61match
Olegs Sulaimonovs
Concerns include insufficient information for migrant populations about road nature, lack of encouragement for reflective clothing, and the absence of footpaths, lighting, and speed restrictions in a populated area.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
61match
Joanna Greensmith
The road surface treatment did not adhere to adverse weather guidance, and the Route Steward had not reported running water across the carriageway at the location.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
61match
Richard Barker, Ryan Bramwell and Robert Graham
The coroner raised concerns regarding the practice of placing tyres with less tread depth on the rear of vehicles, which contributed to aquaplaning, and the lack of awareness among police officers about their statutory powers to close hazardous roads.
Matched on
terms: road
Committee recommendation
61match
#4 - Lead a proactive approach to promote active travel and address public safety concerns.
DfT’s communications to the public have not been enough to help tackle perceptions that active travel is unsafe or to encourage more people to take part. People’s perception of the safety of active travel is as important as actual physical safety. There is significant public concern around safety and this remains a substantial barrier to getting more people...
Matched on
terms: safety
Scottish FAI
60match
Robert Dellow
(5) In terms of section 6 (1) (e): the following guidance is issued to those driving HGV vehicles with a curtain sided trailer: First, drivers are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that the driving conditions make it is safe to drive, both in respect of their own safety and that of other road users. Second,...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
60match
#11 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
Examining the available evidence base, we are not convinced that reinstating the hard shoulder on all all-lane running motorways will improve safety. The evidence suggests that doing so could put more drivers and passengers at risk of death and serious injury, especially if the reduction in capacity were to divert drivers on to less safe, local roads. Although...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
60match
#10 - Third Report - Rollout and safety of smart motorways
Controlled motorways, which retain the hard shoulder and have technology to regulate traffic, have the lowest casualty rates of all types of motorway on the Strategic Road Network. The Department and National Highways should revisit the case for controlled motorways. The Department should set out how the business case for controlled motorways compares with that for all-lane running...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
60match
#17 - DfT continues to use and relaunched its 'Think!' campaign for road safety.
We asked DfT if there was more that it could do to promote the changes it had made to improve safety and encourage more people take up cycling. It told us that it recognised that communication was a big part of tackling perceptions and encouraging changes in behaviour. It told us that it was using its long-standing road...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
60match
#15 - Perceptions of safety are key barriers to increasing active travel uptake
Concerns around safety and confidence to cycle are key barriers to active travel. The NAO reported that, in 2021, around half of respondents to a DfT survey stated that safer roads would encourage them to cycle (53%) and walk (45%) more. Data from DfT surveys show that, between 2017 and 2020, the proportion of existing cyclists who agreed...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
Committee recommendation
59match
#16 - DfT's communication of Highway Code changes to the public has been ineffective.
In January 2022, DfT made changes to the Highway Code to prioritise vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.37 However, evidence we received from stakeholders suggested that DfT’s messaging around the changes made to improve safety have not been communicated effectively to the public. Stakeholders told us that a lack of investment in wider public engagement elements may...
Matched on
terms: road, safety
PFD report
57match
Matthew Thomas Hamilton
The absence of a barrier at the end of the footpath, combined with a narrow pavement and restricted visibility from tall fencing and shrubbery, creates a hazard for children emerging onto the road.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Lynne Dring
The coroner identified that a central illuminated bollard could obstruct motorists' views and that non-prescribed road markings might lead pedestrians to believe they have priority.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Peter Banks
The coroner noted that the crossing point in Westhead Avenue, marked by tactile paving, is likely too close to Weston Road, suggesting an extension of protective railings and moving the crossing further into Westhead Avenue.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Valerie Hancox
Coroner notes that farm machinery bale chutes are routinely left lowered and unmarked on public highways, contrary to manufacturer instructions. This creates a road hazard, especially at night, as the chute lacked required visibility markings.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Paul Millis
The coroner raised concerns about the road layout at a junction, noting that lanes merge within a very short distance with an acute angle, leading to a delayed line of sight for drivers due due to proximity to another traffic flow.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Arnold Soulsby
The coroner notes that regulations for forward mirrors on lorries are not retrospective, meaning many vehicles lack this facility, and believes this contributes to continuing deaths in similar road circumstances.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Jerome Gonnet
The coroner noted a lack of clear advance signage indicating a slip road is 'no entry' and that temporary signs at the exit are prone to being knocked over. These issues have led to repeated instances of drivers mistakenly using the slip road.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Victoria Rhodes
The coroner raised concerns regarding the 70 mph speed limit on the grid roads in Milton Keynes and pedestrian access to these fast roads, recommending a review of the speed limit.
Matched on
terms: road
PFD report
57match
Alan Evans
The coroner noted concerns regarding the road's single broken white line and obscured view, suggesting consideration of double white lines. They also recommended replacing protruding "old style cats eyes" with slim-line versions to minimise future risk.
Matched on
terms: road