Hard Shoulder Statistics

Hard shoulder accidents claimed the lives of 67 people in the five years from 2000 − 2004, and a further 950 people were injured. Even so, drivers still put themselves at risk by pulling over for non−emergencies such as phone calls, checking the map or even taking a toilet break.

A vehicle parked on the hard shoulder is more likely to be involved in a serious accident than one travelling in motorway traffic, according to research by the Highways Agency.

Quentin Willson went out on patrol with Highways Agency Traffic Officers to find out about some of the high−risk behaviour they see on the motorways, including a vehicle that stopped to release racing pigeons from the hard shoulder and people stopping to swap Christmas presents.

Engineers question value of white lines

Central white line markings ’serve no safety purpose’ on local roads, and there is evidence suggesting that removing them could reduce speeds, according to the draft Manual for Streets, which is being produced for the DfT (Surveyor, 22 June).

The publication appears to lend weight to Wiltshire County Council’s decision to remove centre markings from 12 village roads where 30mph limits apply. It says that there is no Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) requirement to introduce centre lines, and ‘little research to indicate there are any safety benefits on local roads’.

Ford Blind Spot Mirror

Blind spots are the stuff of ever-rising insurance premiums. So Ford are bringing out a Blind Spot Mirror which features a secondary convex spotter in the top out corner, which is aimed exclusively at the driver’s blind spot.

Unlike similar after-market products, it uses a single glass surface. The technology will become standard equipment on certain models beginning in 2009, though Ford has not announced which cars will get them.

Superheroes

Traffic Officers Phil Atkinson and Rajinder Mahay from the Highways Agency’s Eastern Region came across the ‘man of steel’ on the hard shoulder between junction 2 and 1a after he had to pull over with a punctured tyre. He had been driving in convoy on the M40 with Spiderman, Batman, Robin and The Riddler, who were also parked on the hard shoulder. It turned out that the superheroes had decided to travel in costume from Birmingham to a car show in France.

Phil, Rajinder and their Traffic Officer colleagues who are based at the Heston Outstation on the M4 help hundreds of drivers every week but this was certainly one of the strangest incidents they have dealt with.

Narrow Escape

“Highways Agency Traffic Officers are reminding road users about hard shoulder safety after a heavy goods vehicle collided with a broken down car on the hard shoulder of the M25 in Buckinghamshire.

“Luckily the driver had followed vital advice and was out of the car and behind the safety barrier before it was struck between junctions 15 and 16.

“This action saved the driver, a 38 year old woman, from physical injury and she now hopes that other drivers will not ignore the safety advice to stay out of their vehicles if they have to stop on the hard shoulder. She said: “I am very glad that I followed advice and waited behind the safety barrier slightly away from the car while I waited for recovery. It was quite cold and the prospect of waiting on the hard shoulder was not a particularly pleasant one but I can only say that I am very glad that I did. In future I will always pack a rain jacket and thermal blanket in case I get caught out again.

“I am also glad I didn’t attempt the repair myself. The car only had a flat tyre and I might have tried to change it myself as it does feel a bit pathetic calling the breakdown services just to change a tyre for you, but I don’t want to imagine what might have happened if I had been doing that when the lorry struck the car.”

Danger of Staying in your Vehicle

Time and time again, a stranded motorist will say ”No, I’m not getting out the car to find a marker post or SOS box, it’s far too dangerous!”
Simple common sense should spell out that the vehicle they are sitting in is a bigger target and even if they saw the oncoming car/truck/van approaching, there isn’t any way they could get out in time!

Crazy!

I work in the breakdown department and hear mad stories all day everyday. Probably worst one I ever had was only a few weeks back where a lady had broken down on the M5 and her mobile ran out of credit so rather than going to an Orange SOS Box which was 400 yds aways she ran across 8 lanes of the motorway jumping the central reservation barrier, climbed over a 6 foot fence, walked a mile across a muddy cow field to get to an Asda store to use their phone. she then wanted RAC to pick her up from the asda and take her back to the car or she was going to carry out the same journey in reverse! I couldn’t beleive it!

Location on the Motorway Network

For those of us who have ever broken down or attended a motor breakdown, we know just how unpleasant and downright dangerous the whole experience can be! So many decisions to make. Do you take the safer option of getting out the vehicle and using your mobile in the driving wind and rain while standing behind the crash barrier? Or do you stay in the vehicle and make the call? Those few minutes passing your details to the person on the other end of the phone will be much easier without the roar of traffic and the elements interrupting you. Of course you’ve just massively increased your chances of being killed!
Do you try and guess the junctions you’re between? And are you sure what motorway you’re actually on? North, South, East, or Westbound? Do you find a marker post or SOS box?
Drivers will often take the decision to remain in the vehicle with their loved ones because the weather is atrocious outside. All the more reason to get out!
For my part, when I’m driving on an unfamiliar section of a motorway, I’d have more chance of guessing the Pope’s favourite biscuit than remembering what junction I have just passed. I’ve also sat in my own service vehicle behind a ‘breakdown’ when I really should have known better. Funny how ‘human nature’ can be our own worst enemy in these instances.

Danger of Using the Hard Shoulder as a Layby

A GERMAN man died after a lorry collision on the northbound M40 overnight.

The man, thought to be in his 40s, died after his lorry collided with another heavy goods vehicle from Poland at 2.06am. Unfortunately he died at the scene.

The motorway was closed for about four hours. Traffic was still held up this morning as one lane was closed to clear the scene. Police said it is thought the Polish lorry was stationary on the hard shoulder at the time.

The motorway was closed for about four hours.