This week we have been told by "road safety experts" (no information as to who they are) that there has been a disturbing increase in the number of people hurt in road accidents in Devon and Cornwall. Last year (2014) 720 were killed or seriously injured, up from 647 the year before - an increase of 11%.
The inference is that it is the fault of road users themselves and we should all be more careful, drive slower and be more law abiding.
No account appears to have been taken of the appalling state of the roads in both counties for which Devon and Cornwall Highway Authorities should take some responsibility. You cannot have potholed roads, fractured and crumbling surfaces, poor road markings, dirty and obscured signage, uncut, overgrown hedges and grass verges without greatly increasing potential risks to all road users.
As a matter of interest, the figures nationally decreased by 3% for the same period.
Regards,
Clive.
The inference is that it is the fault of road users themselves and we should all be more careful, drive slower and be more law abiding.
No account appears to have been taken of the appalling state of the roads in both counties for which Devon and Cornwall Highway Authorities should take some responsibility. You cannot have potholed roads, fractured and crumbling surfaces, poor road markings, dirty and obscured signage, uncut, overgrown hedges and grass verges without greatly increasing potential risks to all road users.
As a matter of interest, the figures nationally decreased by 3% for the same period.
Regards,
Clive.