Smart motorway death
Discussion
Driver carries the blame for not paying attention. Other drivers safely managed to avoid the car that was broken down in the outside lane of the motorway. The driver of the vehicle that drove into the back of the stationary vehicle and caused the death of a passenger, was seen on CCTV to have not even attempted any emergency avoidance. He was also travelling at speeds of up to 77mph in the moments leading up to the collision.
Travelling too fast + not paying attention -> collision = conviction.
The fact the the “smart” motorway mechanisms were not working is immaterial. Everyone who drives on any road is expected to do so safely, this driver did not and someone died as a result.
Travelling too fast + not paying attention -> collision = conviction.
The fact the the “smart” motorway mechanisms were not working is immaterial. Everyone who drives on any road is expected to do so safely, this driver did not and someone died as a result.
Dixy said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8r1k0d2nreo
Driver carries the blame for state failure.
Not really, watch the video rather than the headline. Driver carries the blame for state failure.
Multiple other drivers were easily able to avoid the car.
He had what looks like around 6 seconds of clear unobstructed view from the lofty cab of a van.
Everyone else that avoided the car had much less & from just the viewpoint of a car height.
Try again.
Drumroll said:
I don't see with it being a smart motorway, has to do with this particular accident. The car had stopped in the outside lane.
Signs fail, show false information all the time. Not just on smart motorways
Unless I misunderstood that was my first thought too.Signs fail, show false information all the time. Not just on smart motorways
Presumably vehicles break down in dangerous places up and down the country on a daily basis and thankfully this kind of accident seems vanishingly rare.
Not sure I'm seeing this as being down to the Smart system issues as I'm sure there's a world where even with everything working the timelines might have meant the lanes weren't closed or marked off etc.
A terrible tragedy.
Having watched what I understand to be the crash video the car was stopped on the inside lane not the outside lane?? Perhaps it’s a crap video.
However it was bloody busy and there wasn’t much opportunity to jump out and leg it to safety. Agree with the other posters quite a few other cars moved over and avoided the collision prior to our inattentive chappy driving straight into the back of it. I am surprised he survived given the severity of the hit.
However it was bloody busy and there wasn’t much opportunity to jump out and leg it to safety. Agree with the other posters quite a few other cars moved over and avoided the collision prior to our inattentive chappy driving straight into the back of it. I am surprised he survived given the severity of the hit.
bigmowley said:
Having watched what I understand to be the crash video the car was stopped on the inside lane not the outside lane?? Perhaps it s a crap video.
However it was bloody busy and there wasn t much opportunity to jump out and leg it to safety. Agree with the other posters quite a few other cars moved over and avoided the collision prior to our inattentive chappy driving straight into the back of it. I am surprised he survived given the severity of the hit.
He wasn't wearing a seat belt either, his airbag helped it seems.However it was bloody busy and there wasn t much opportunity to jump out and leg it to safety. Agree with the other posters quite a few other cars moved over and avoided the collision prior to our inattentive chappy driving straight into the back of it. I am surprised he survived given the severity of the hit.
Always 'drive several cars ahead'.
Sheepshanks said:
Drumroll said:
I don't see with it being a smart motorway, has to do with this particular accident.
Absolutely nothing. I was gobsmacked when it became apparent they weren't talking about a lane 1 incident.E-bmw said:
Not really, watch the video rather than the headline.
Multiple other drivers were easily able to avoid the car.
He had what looks like around 6 seconds of clear unobstructed view from the lofty cab of a van.
Everyone else that avoided the car had much less & from just the viewpoint of a car height.
Try again.
A Transit connect does not have a "lofty view". In fact sitting in one is much like a car, its a car based van, not a traditional transit with a higher sitting position.Multiple other drivers were easily able to avoid the car.
He had what looks like around 6 seconds of clear unobstructed view from the lofty cab of a van.
Everyone else that avoided the car had much less & from just the viewpoint of a car height.
Try again.
I don't like driving them for the exact reason that I feel like I'm very low down.
I am not arguing that he was not negligent for failing to see the stopped car but your view comments are simply wrong.
It's a flippin' car! Why do you need something to "warn you"?Speed Matters | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff