Motoring Fatalities in Sydenham

[admin]

While researching the pedestrian fatality in Sydenham Road a couple of years ago I came across another first for Sydenham, well Crystal Palace. It appears we had the world's first recorded pedestrian fatality caused by a car: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Driscoll in 1896.

More than 32,000 people have died on British roads in the last 10 years (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8401344.stm for a map of those round here). We seemed to be not taking the subject too seriously. Compared to, say, the 108 deaths in Afghanistan where political pressure is diverting huge resources to save a few lives when much less would save many more preventable fatalities and maimings.

Discuss?

Admin

[Bram]

Discuss? Hardly when the facts are clear

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8406569.stm

But expect ranting evasions from petrol heads and the sort of people who think all government funded research is general conspiracy against decent law abiding folk.

[Trawlerman]

Couldn't agree more, Bram.

Also, look at the publicity when there is an accident on the railways.

Road deaths [around 3,000 a year] are unremarkable.
Tragic.

The facts are clear. WHY we seem blind or unmoved by those facts is worthy of discussion.

[bensonby]

Perhaps we should follow the antipodean example with some truly shocking adverts. Apparently road deaths have plummted since they started 20 years ago....whether that is soley due to these adverts who know. But it certainly affected me:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/vide ... #continued


Warning, not for the faint hearted!

[Annie]

That was terrible,I had to stop watching it,perhaps we ought to have that stark msg on our tv's.

I thought the one of the little girl and the 20 mph video was bad enough.

shocking but effective i should think.

[admin]

And terribly expensive. From the Press Association tonight:

"An Asperger's Syndrome sufferer who was robbed of his independence by a road accident in south London has won £3.32 million damages. Gideon Sklair was crossing a road in Sydenham, with a blind friend one night in April 2007, when they were both knocked down by a car."

More here: PA Report

Admin

[mikej]

Bensonby

God, that advert is certainly effective.

I am sure it would work here too.

[admin]

A snitch in time? One way to help is reporting criminal driving. Somebody on the phone, driving dangerously, uninsured? No need to track out to Catford nick - you can now report it online here: https://secure.met.police.uk/roadsafelondon/

Admin

[The Eagle]

Very bad accident Tuesday morning in Kirkdale near Peak Hill.

Air Ambulance landed.

[sydeman]

Yes it happened close to where i work. A guy in his 30's walked out in front of a bus. Poor chap.

[admin]

20mph limits appear to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by around 40% in London. Here is a campaign to bring it to your local authority: http://www.20splentyforus.co.uk/

Admin

[natbeuk]

Following on from Bensoby's post....

In Australia we also have extensive use of random breath testing and mobile speed cameras. The result is that Aussie drivers are (mostly) constantly aware that the Police could be lurking around the next corner and you can see the effect it has on speed.

We also have tighter controls over learner drivers and once you pass your practical test there is a system of provisional licenses that need to be held for a minimum of 3 years (in New South Wales anyway, it varies slightly across states). Learner and provisional license holders are subject to various additional restrictions - lower speed limit, zero blood alchohol, limits on passengers, etc.

I'm not saying the Aussie system is perfect but when I first arrived here I was surprised by how relaxed things seemed in comparison.