Dorset Road Casualties
Discussion
From tonights local paper
" DORSET police chief has vowed to cut the carnage on Dorset's roads after new figures revealed how 19 families have already lost loved ones this year.
Chief Inspector Rick Dowell, head of the road policing unit, told the Daily Echo: "I am determined to drive down the number of fatal and serious injury collisions on Dorset's roads."
On the day a national report claimed the UK is falling behind other countries on road safety, he appealed to drivers to help reduce the death toll on the county's roads.
Ch Insp Dowell urged motorists to observe speed limits, refrain from drinking and driving, wear seatbelts and take breaks when they feel tired behind the wheel.
He said: "All drivers can make the roads of Dorset safer by having basic common sense and regard for the safety of others.
"Every fatal collision is subject to a detailed forensic examination. No stone is left unturned in our determination to find the case of a collision and to prosecute any party who has driven carelessly or dangerously. A number of dangerous drivers have been imprisoned."
The number of deaths on Dorset's roads this year reached 19 despite concerted road safety campaigns, warnings and speed cameras.
Dorset police set a target to reduce death and serious injury on the roads by six per cent in the year to April 2007. But new statistics show the number increased by 3.8 per cent.
It has been estimated each road fatality costs the taxpayer more than £1 million but the price of human suffering is immeasurable. Road users who have lost their lives on the county's roads have ranged from teenagers to pensioners.
Research by the Road Safety Foundation revealed lack of funding may be preventing local authorities from carrying out simple measures to make roads safer such as modern signing and improved junctions.
In Dorset this year there have been 17 fatal collisions resulting in 19 deaths. Last year 38 people died on the county's roads.
Pat Garrett, for Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "We're working with our partners to identify how safety cameras, along with other measures, can be used to help reduce this figure.
"We remain focused on reducing collisions through measures including education, engineering and enforcement.
"Safety cameras continue to be located in known collision hotspots; where there is a history of fatal and serious collisions."
There are several comments on the paper web site all saying the same thing that the Partnerships obsession with speed is failing to target the actual causes of the accidents. The partnership have also excluded the public from the partnership by hiding behind the Data Protection Act when releasing their Operational minutes.
One of the fatalities was the tragic death of a lady who had just dropped her daughter at school. Whilst walking back home she was hit by a trailer that had detached from the landrover towing it. This had nothing to do with speed. I go to my local tip regularly and I am the only person who appears to attach the safety chain which is supposed to keeep the triler and tow vehicle together if the coupling comes apart. Two other persons were killed in an accident which also had nothing to do with speed.
" DORSET police chief has vowed to cut the carnage on Dorset's roads after new figures revealed how 19 families have already lost loved ones this year.
Chief Inspector Rick Dowell, head of the road policing unit, told the Daily Echo: "I am determined to drive down the number of fatal and serious injury collisions on Dorset's roads."
On the day a national report claimed the UK is falling behind other countries on road safety, he appealed to drivers to help reduce the death toll on the county's roads.
Ch Insp Dowell urged motorists to observe speed limits, refrain from drinking and driving, wear seatbelts and take breaks when they feel tired behind the wheel.
He said: "All drivers can make the roads of Dorset safer by having basic common sense and regard for the safety of others.
"Every fatal collision is subject to a detailed forensic examination. No stone is left unturned in our determination to find the case of a collision and to prosecute any party who has driven carelessly or dangerously. A number of dangerous drivers have been imprisoned."
The number of deaths on Dorset's roads this year reached 19 despite concerted road safety campaigns, warnings and speed cameras.
Dorset police set a target to reduce death and serious injury on the roads by six per cent in the year to April 2007. But new statistics show the number increased by 3.8 per cent.
It has been estimated each road fatality costs the taxpayer more than £1 million but the price of human suffering is immeasurable. Road users who have lost their lives on the county's roads have ranged from teenagers to pensioners.
Research by the Road Safety Foundation revealed lack of funding may be preventing local authorities from carrying out simple measures to make roads safer such as modern signing and improved junctions.
In Dorset this year there have been 17 fatal collisions resulting in 19 deaths. Last year 38 people died on the county's roads.
Pat Garrett, for Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "We're working with our partners to identify how safety cameras, along with other measures, can be used to help reduce this figure.
"We remain focused on reducing collisions through measures including education, engineering and enforcement.
"Safety cameras continue to be located in known collision hotspots; where there is a history of fatal and serious collisions."
There are several comments on the paper web site all saying the same thing that the Partnerships obsession with speed is failing to target the actual causes of the accidents. The partnership have also excluded the public from the partnership by hiding behind the Data Protection Act when releasing their Operational minutes.
One of the fatalities was the tragic death of a lady who had just dropped her daughter at school. Whilst walking back home she was hit by a trailer that had detached from the landrover towing it. This had nothing to do with speed. I go to my local tip regularly and I am the only person who appears to attach the safety chain which is supposed to keeep the triler and tow vehicle together if the coupling comes apart. Two other persons were killed in an accident which also had nothing to do with speed.
Edited by rewc on Tuesday 26th June 21:41
And this is one of them - biker gets wiped out by a rover 200 "making a sharp turn" - nothing to do with speed, everything to do with poor observation....
http://www.thisisbournemouth.co.uk/display.var.149...
SO we have accounted for 4 of the 19 deaths - is it worth making a FOI request to Dorset Police to get the rest?
http://www.thisisbournemouth.co.uk/display.var.149...
The Bournemouth Echo said:
Favour on his day off cost biker, 19, his life
Favour on his day off cost biker, 19, his life A MUCH-loved motorbike enthusiast was killed after offering to help his employer during his day off.
Lee Mark Ellement, 19, died after his Ducati 900 was in collision with an oncoming Rover 200 car at Cobham Road on Ferndown industrial estate.
An inquest heard how the motorcycle mechanic from Keeble Road, Kinson, Bournemouth, had just collected a part for a customer's machine when tragedy struck on February 12 this year.
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In a statement, his employer Bradley Wade said: "Lee had worked for us since he was 15. He was a much-loved and respected employee and a friend to all of us.
"Lee was a very competent rider. When a part was needed for a customer's machine he said he would collect it on his day off.
"I received a call saying he was collecting the part. He sounded very mellow and relaxed. I wasn't expecting him back that day.
"I think he was going to see his friend George at Ferndown industrial estate when the accident happened."
Mr Ellement's mother, Nichola Jane Ellement, told the Bournemouth hearing how the Ducati had been her son's fifth motorbike.
Eyewitness Adam Watson said he had been driving behind the Rover when it made "a very sharp turn".
"I didn't see any lights and I don't recall seeing an indicator. As I saw the car turning in I could just see a helmet glinting," he said.
"I started to brake and was virtually stopped when there was an impact with my bumper."
Forensic collision investigator PC John Hayward said the bike had collided with the Rover's rear near side and been travelling at between 28 and 36mph before the crash.
"When the Rover commenced turning right, across the path of the motorcycle, it was cutting the corner."
After legal advice, the Rover driver, Christopher Simmonds, a branch manager at an electrical firm on Ferndown industrial estate, declined to give evidence.
Recording an accidental death verdict, East Dorset Coroner Sherriff Payne said: "It is clear there has been a misjudgement and sadly an impact occurred.
"It is always sad when a young man passes away in this sort of incident."
Favour on his day off cost biker, 19, his life A MUCH-loved motorbike enthusiast was killed after offering to help his employer during his day off.
Lee Mark Ellement, 19, died after his Ducati 900 was in collision with an oncoming Rover 200 car at Cobham Road on Ferndown industrial estate.
An inquest heard how the motorcycle mechanic from Keeble Road, Kinson, Bournemouth, had just collected a part for a customer's machine when tragedy struck on February 12 this year.
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In a statement, his employer Bradley Wade said: "Lee had worked for us since he was 15. He was a much-loved and respected employee and a friend to all of us.
"Lee was a very competent rider. When a part was needed for a customer's machine he said he would collect it on his day off.
"I received a call saying he was collecting the part. He sounded very mellow and relaxed. I wasn't expecting him back that day.
"I think he was going to see his friend George at Ferndown industrial estate when the accident happened."
Mr Ellement's mother, Nichola Jane Ellement, told the Bournemouth hearing how the Ducati had been her son's fifth motorbike.
Eyewitness Adam Watson said he had been driving behind the Rover when it made "a very sharp turn".
"I didn't see any lights and I don't recall seeing an indicator. As I saw the car turning in I could just see a helmet glinting," he said.
"I started to brake and was virtually stopped when there was an impact with my bumper."
Forensic collision investigator PC John Hayward said the bike had collided with the Rover's rear near side and been travelling at between 28 and 36mph before the crash.
"When the Rover commenced turning right, across the path of the motorcycle, it was cutting the corner."
After legal advice, the Rover driver, Christopher Simmonds, a branch manager at an electrical firm on Ferndown industrial estate, declined to give evidence.
Recording an accidental death verdict, East Dorset Coroner Sherriff Payne said: "It is clear there has been a misjudgement and sadly an impact occurred.
"It is always sad when a young man passes away in this sort of incident."
SO we have accounted for 4 of the 19 deaths - is it worth making a FOI request to Dorset Police to get the rest?
Edited by Bing o on Tuesday 26th June 23:21
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6354141....
Dorset - caused death by dangerous driving - was texting at the time, not speed related...
Dorset - caused death by dangerous driving - was texting at the time, not speed related...
And their aims from 2002 - didn't they do well - in 2001 39 people killed, 2007 Jan-April is 19...
http://www.boroughofpoole.com/news.asp?act_news=di...
http://www.boroughofpoole.com/news.asp?act_news=di...
Ch Insp Dowell urged motorists to observe speed limits, refrain from drinking and driving, wear seatbelts and take breaks when they feel tired behind the wheel.
Pat Garrett, for Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "Safety cameras continue to be located in known collision hotspots; where there is a history of fatal and serious collisions."
Has anyone access to the breakdown of the Dorset accident cause? It would be interesting to see how they fit under CI Dowell's categories, and whether Mr Garrett's scameras would have prevented them.
Streaky
Pat Garrett, for Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "Safety cameras continue to be located in known collision hotspots; where there is a history of fatal and serious collisions."
Has anyone access to the breakdown of the Dorset accident cause? It would be interesting to see how they fit under CI Dowell's categories, and whether Mr Garrett's scameras would have prevented them.
Streaky
Bing o said:
And their aims from 2002 - didn't they do well - in 2001 39 people killed, 2007 Jan-April is 19...
http://www.boroughofpoole.com/news.asp?act_news=di...
It would be interesting to see the 2003 to 2006 figures.http://www.boroughofpoole.com/news.asp?act_news=di...
So in 2002 Dorset Police were saying (of the then planned introduction of Scameras):
"Research supports the fact that speeding is a common cause of death and serious injury on our roads, and by bringing down the speed of motorists in the county we will reduce the tragedies that occur every day"
and in 2007, after 5 years of further "research", when the scameras have had no (positive) effect:
"I am determined to drive down the number of fatal and serious injury collisions on Dorset's roads."
Surely by now these people should have realised that, in the real world, naive solutions backed by vague, unsubstantiated assumptions are unlikely to succeed. We need more brain power amongst our public servants; determination alone is not enough!
Edited by TVickR on Wednesday 27th June 13:15
streaky said:
Ch Insp Dowell urged motorists to observe speed limits, refrain from drinking and driving, wear seatbelts and take breaks when they feel tired behind the wheel.
Pat Garrett, for Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "Safety cameras continue to be located in known collision hotspots; where there is a history of fatal and serious collisions."
Has anyone access to the breakdown of the Dorset accident cause? It would be interesting to see how they fit under CI Dowell's categories, and whether Mr Garrett's scameras would have prevented them.
Streaky
I saw in the news this week that Dorset Scamera Paternship claims a 100% success rate in issuing tickets...Pat Garrett, for Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "Safety cameras continue to be located in known collision hotspots; where there is a history of fatal and serious collisions."
Has anyone access to the breakdown of the Dorset accident cause? It would be interesting to see how they fit under CI Dowell's categories, and whether Mr Garrett's scameras would have prevented them.
Streaky
http://www.thisisbournemouth.co.uk/display.var.1500281.0.flash_point.php
bournemouth echo said:
Figures revealed today show that Dorset residents are paying more per head in fines than most.
At £4.28 per man, woman and child, fines issued by the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership are the sixth highest in the country.
So the sixth highest collector of revenue in the country yet KSIs are on the up. Why isn't this mentioned in the article??? Maybe SafeSpeed could use these figures?At £4.28 per man, woman and child, fines issued by the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership are the sixth highest in the country.
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