Latest news with #trafficAccidents
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Devon and Cornwall Police plea after 'truly tragic' month
People are being reminded of the dangers linked to roads after a series of fatal crashes in the South and Cornwall Police said its officers had attended "a number of very serious crashes" in the last month, some which had proved Insp Dean Drury said a loss of life in a crash was "devastating" for the families and friends of those said the five main causes of serious injury and death on the region's roads were excessive speed, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving, being under the influence or drink or drugs while driving, and not being physically or medically fit to drive. 'Several young people' Mr Drury said: "Due to the good weather we have been having, we have seen more people out on our roads."Tragically some of these collisions have resulted in a tragic loss of life, including several young people, which has been devastating for the families and friends of those involved."Ch Insp Drury said the "vast majority" of road users were safe, responsible and added: "Please do not think it won't happen to you, as things can change in a split second. "Please drive safely and consider other road users, especially those who are more vulnerable such as pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists and motorcyclists."Mr Drury said the past few weeks had been "truly tragic" and said the "last thing officers wanted to do was to knock on any more doors to tell someone a loved one was not coming home".
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
‘Alarming' rise in number of motorcyclist deaths on British roads
New figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed motorcyclist deaths in Britain increased by nine per cent last year. RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said the 'alarming' figures were 'more evidence of the need for a renewed focus on saving lives on the roads, so we look forward to the publication of the Government's road safety strategy'. Some 343 riders lost their lives in crashes in 2024, up from 315 during the previous 12 months, and making up 21 per cent of the total 1,633 people killed on Britain's roads last year. That was a one per cent rise from 1,624 in 2023, but an eight per cent fall from 1,775 in 2014. The DfT said the pattern for motorcyclist fatalities has remained relatively stable over the last 10 years. AA president Edmund King said: 'Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and sadly, we are still losing at least four people a day. 'If this level of loss were experienced on any other form of transport, there would be a national inquiry and public outcry. 'Yet, for some reason, we seem to accept this as the risk of moving around our communities. This should not be the case.' Mr King called for the Government's upcoming road safety strategy to include 'bold action' such as harsher penalties for not wearing a seatbelt or drug-driving. He also stressed the need to 'safeguard newly qualified drivers' to ensure they feel confident on the road before 'exposing them to additional risks' such as carrying passengers of a similar age. Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: 'These figures demonstrate a troubling lack of progress in bringing down fatal and serious injuries on our road network. 'Moreover, 2024 saw a significant increase in the number of motorcyclists that were killed, further highlighting that more needs to be done to protect some of the most vulnerable road users.' DfT spokesperson said: 'Every death on our roads is a tragedy and the safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government. 'We've been clear that more needs to be done in this space, which is why we are committed to delivering a new road safety strategy – the first in over a decade – and will set out next steps on this in due course.' The DfT figures for 2024 are provisional.
CBS News
7 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pedestrian deaths are climbing as vehicles increase in size. More families are grieving the consequences.
The link between pedestrian deaths and vehicle size Last December, Karla Molina sent her 2-year-old son Emmanuel out to run errands with his grandmother in Houston. They were crossing the street when a pickup truck hit them. "I get a call — 'Your mom and your son got hit,'" Molina said. Karla's mom survived, but Emmanuel did not. The driver says he never saw them. "I ran barefooted, saw my son under the guy's truck and I hold my son. I knew he was gone," Karla said. Pedestrian deaths have surged 78% in the past 15 years, according to the Department of Transportation. That's in part due to the rising size and weight of vehicles like SUVs and trucks, which create large blind zones directly in front of them and require longer braking distances. Over the past three decades, the average passenger vehicle has gotten 1,000 pounds heavier and eight inches taller, according to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "As pedestrians, we need to be aware that these vehicles are out there," said Jennifer Stockburger, who runs the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center. Demonstrations conducted at the test facility highlight the danger of blind spots in front of the hood. Every vehicle has one, but it's much bigger in larger vehicles. That can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians — especially small children — right in front of them. It also takes longer for heavier vehicles to come to a complete stop after hitting the brakes. SUVs and pickup trucks account for three-quarters of vehicle sales in the U.S., according to Edmunds. The popularity of large vehicles is not likely to change, but automakers have started repositioning front cameras lower, which may help drivers, in some cases, see pedestrians. It is a safety upgrade that is too late for the Molinas. "He gave us a pain in our family, a major pain that we will never forget," Karla said. The family is hoping changes to technology and awareness can prevent anyone else from feeling their pain.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Our View: Bike, pedestrian safety demands action
The afternoon of March 13, David M. Kroll, 56, was riding a bicycle near Old 132 and Madison County Road 700 West when he was struck by a vehicle. Kroll died from his injuries. That sort of tragedy is nothing new in the Anderson area. During a three-month stretch in the summer of 2023, three bicyclists died in collisions with vehicles in Anderson. The fatal crashes were scattered across the community, occurring at Scatterfield Road and University Boulevard, 15th Street and Madison Avenue, and in the 3500 block of South Main Street. Less than two months before, a pedestrian was struck and killed along Scatterfield Road. But these heartbreaking accidents are only part of the saga. According to a study by the Madison County Council of Governments, on average, two pedestrians or bicyclists are injured every month in Anderson. Something has to be done. This month, Anderson City Council took a first, tentative step forward, starting the process to appoint members to a bicycle/pedestrian advisory committee that was initially created in 2016 but has met only once since. Per a 2016 ordinance, the nine-member committee is supposed to include appointees from various city departments: park, street, municipal development and engineering and should include representatives from the local health and medical field, Anderson Community Schools, Anderson University, economic development, law enforcement and community planning. 'The Committee is formed to provide bicycle and pedestrian safety education to the public and advice and recommendations to other departments, agencies, boards and commissions on matters that promote safe, active transportation,' according to the ordinance. The committee and council would do well to give sincere consideration to adopting a Complete Streets policy, such as those already taken up by Madison County and several local communities, according to Ben Orcutt, owner of the local Buckskin Bikes shop. 'Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing and building streets that enables safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities,' according to Councilman Greg Graham recommended that council conduct a special meeting to discuss the Complete Streets proposal with Orcutt. The first step, of course, is for the committee to be fully formed — and to actually meet regularly and frequently. While the wheels of government turn slowly, pedestrians and bicyclists will continue to face peril on the streets of Anderson. Hopefully, it won't take more deaths to spur action.
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Nearly 500 bikes seized in 10 days for violating traffic rules in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah authorities have seized 491 bikes in 10 days. The move aims to improve road safety. The violating vehicles were seized by Ras Al Khaimah Police Traffic and Patrols Department. The move comes as part of an extensive campaign aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents and road deaths. Ras Al Khaimah
