A41 accident black spot
Discussion
Hi,
I've been lurking on the forum for a while now, and following with interest, the threads on scameras and the message that speed kills - this is my first post so please be gentle!!
I thought I'd mention something that happened at an accident blackspot (and it really is), in late December.
If there is anyone on here from the Oxford, Aylesbury Bicester area, then they are probably familiar with the low railway bridge that crosses the A41 on a staggered junction between Marsh Gibbon and Blackthorn.
The junction has been a nightmare for years, turning right from the Marsh Gibbon juction towards Bicester is virtually blind (obscured by the railway bridge), and similarly turning right from Blackthorn is equally dangerous. Local residents were campaigning for the junction to be re-worked with traffic lights, which was apparently 'backed' by the local council. In reality all that happened was a Gatso was installed.
This has done nothing to reduce the number of KSI accidents, several last year.
Then in late November the area around the junction was re-classified as a 50mph zone.
Within a month there was another fatality...
I just thought that I'd mention this as a real-world example, backed with plenty of evidence, that could be used as a case-study for SS - I hope it's of interest.
I've been lurking on the forum for a while now, and following with interest, the threads on scameras and the message that speed kills - this is my first post so please be gentle!!
I thought I'd mention something that happened at an accident blackspot (and it really is), in late December.
If there is anyone on here from the Oxford, Aylesbury Bicester area, then they are probably familiar with the low railway bridge that crosses the A41 on a staggered junction between Marsh Gibbon and Blackthorn.
The junction has been a nightmare for years, turning right from the Marsh Gibbon juction towards Bicester is virtually blind (obscured by the railway bridge), and similarly turning right from Blackthorn is equally dangerous. Local residents were campaigning for the junction to be re-worked with traffic lights, which was apparently 'backed' by the local council. In reality all that happened was a Gatso was installed.
This has done nothing to reduce the number of KSI accidents, several last year.
Then in late November the area around the junction was re-classified as a 50mph zone.
Within a month there was another fatality...
I just thought that I'd mention this as a real-world example, backed with plenty of evidence, that could be used as a case-study for SS - I hope it's of interest.
I drive through there occasionally, coming off the M40 to go to Wendover (nr Aylesbury)
I must admit to never hearing about any accidents but it wouldn't suprise me if people if people were attempting to overtake lorries, slow cars etc and not seeing people turning onto the road.
At the end of the day considering the amount of traffic that uses the road it is fairly safe. I don't like to see speed cameras anywhere as I believe drivers should be driving to the conditions of the road.
Traffic lights wouldn't work at that junction as there isn't enough traffic attempting to join the road and this would lead to horrendus queues.
At the end of the day accidents are "accidents" no one wants to have a crash, but they happen and people need to learn from their own mistakes. There is only so much you can do to improve the existing infrastructure!
>> Edited by pmanson on Wednesday 7th January 14:43
I must admit to never hearing about any accidents but it wouldn't suprise me if people if people were attempting to overtake lorries, slow cars etc and not seeing people turning onto the road.
At the end of the day considering the amount of traffic that uses the road it is fairly safe. I don't like to see speed cameras anywhere as I believe drivers should be driving to the conditions of the road.
Traffic lights wouldn't work at that junction as there isn't enough traffic attempting to join the road and this would lead to horrendus queues.
At the end of the day accidents are "accidents" no one wants to have a crash, but they happen and people need to learn from their own mistakes. There is only so much you can do to improve the existing infrastructure!
>> Edited by pmanson on Wednesday 7th January 14:43
I used to use that road a lot, have only been along it once since the limit was reduced though.
The junction is horrendous and in desperate need of re-engineering, but traffic lights would really mess up the traffic flow along the A41 and I can't think of another solution that wouldn't be incredibly expensive.
If safety was really the issue the cost wouldn't be prohibitive, but as it is part of me can't help thinking that they need the KSI stats from that junction so they can continue to justify the revenue cameras on the long straight, good visibility sections of the A41 nearby. The camera at the junction is suspicious itself in my opinion, it may well be bright yellow and in the right place to slow traffic passing the junction, but its right behind a massive great road sign.
The junction is horrendous and in desperate need of re-engineering, but traffic lights would really mess up the traffic flow along the A41 and I can't think of another solution that wouldn't be incredibly expensive.
If safety was really the issue the cost wouldn't be prohibitive, but as it is part of me can't help thinking that they need the KSI stats from that junction so they can continue to justify the revenue cameras on the long straight, good visibility sections of the A41 nearby. The camera at the junction is suspicious itself in my opinion, it may well be bright yellow and in the right place to slow traffic passing the junction, but its right behind a massive great road sign.
Yep know the junction - travel it quite regularly. This is a case in point for speed cameras either side of the junctions (both monitoring lanes oncoming to junctions) located a lot closer to them. Currently there is one gatso just in side the 50 limit (from Bicester)then 1/2 a mile to the junction - if you are on the main road one could get up to a high speed after the camera and before the junction. There are two problems with the junct - they are partially blind and secondly people are unable to judge the speed of oncoming traffic when pulling out. Bikers also use the road at weekends for a sunday blast! Unfortunately most people see through them!
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