Motorway Madness

[codprawn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/6927333.stm

I wonder if anyone was caught up in this?

It is of course tragic that the lorry driver died BUT it is about time the Police stopped treating ACCIDENTS as a crime scene. The accident happened at 2.15AM - they didn't get the traffic flowing again until lunchtime - it wasn't properly cleared until 7pm!!!

The chaos must have been unbelieveable - not onlt the whole M4 shut for 4 junctions but all the other roads clogged as well.

I think the Police have got their priorities very wrong these days. The knock on effect from incidents like this can cause far more loss of life than the original accident. Abumlances can't get to hospitals - medical staff can't get to work - fire engines are delayed in response to calls - the list is endless.

I wonder what happens in other countries such as the USA for example - is the priority to get the traffic flowing again or not?

[Nos4r2]

Every time I see something like this I hope it's not someone I know.

[Richard B]

The trouble with what you are saying is that you don't know the full circumstances of the "accident". You would have a very different viewpoint if you were a member of the deceased man's family and a vital piece of evidence was overlooked and later compromised the investigation of the facts. Objects are sometimes thrown off bridges in the small hours and this could be a murder investigation. And negligence is criminal, not an accident.

If you're really concerned about traffic delays, get one of these, they are one of the most under-rated products I've ever come across: http://www.trafficmaster.co.uk/page....afficmaster-yq They provide real time traffic congetion information... same info as goes into Vauxhall Trafficnet amongst others.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Richard B

The trouble with what you are saying is that you don't know the full circumstances of the "accident". You would have a very different viewpoint if you were a member of the deceased man's family and a vital piece of evidence was overlooked and later compromised the investigation of the facts. Objects are sometimes thrown off bridges in the small hours and this could be a murder investigation. And negligence is criminal, not an accident.
.

There have been loads of similar incidents. The Police must balance the requirements of doing their job with the disruption and other loss of life that does occur.

A few years ago I was stuck in a massive tailback at Windsor. It turns out an old man had driven the wrong way out of the Membury services and hit a BMW head on. It was obvious what happened and there were plenty of witnesses.

It took me 10 hrs to get home. The havoc it caused led to other loss of life. Accidents on other roads that couldn't cope and other related deaths. They estimated as many as 8 other people had died as a direct result of the accident!!!

Of course I feel for the familiy concerned but I am sure they would be horrified to learn that other people had also died as a result.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by codprawn

It was obvious what happened and there were plenty of witnesses.

In that case just shovel the old codger into the ditch and get on, eh?

I understand your frustration, and I'm just another member of the public involved in these regretable incidents from time to time, but I do think you may be underestimating the problems that the emergency services have to deal with. Diagnosing a death at the roadside is a major task, and then the rescue of survivors must take priority over traffic situations.

You say that 8 other deaths occured as a result of the incident that caused the major tailback, but that's heresay until proven. And the type of tailback you're describing is commonplace around here - the roads are at full capacity all the time and there's no space for more. Think yourself lucky you live in Swansea!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Richard B

In that case just shovel the old codger into the ditch and get on, eh?

I understand your frustration, and I'm just another member of the public involved in these regretable incidents from time to time, but I do think you may be underestimating the problems that the emergency services have to deal with. Diagnosing a death at the roadside is a major task, and then the rescue of survivors must take priority over traffic situations.

You say that 8 other deaths occured as a result of the incident that caused the major tailback, but that's heresay until proven. And the type of tailback you're describing is commonplace around here - the roads are at full capacity all the time and there's no space for more. Think yourself lucky you live in Swansea!

Of course not - I would have thought the people would be rushed to hospital ASAP - it is the full on Forensics that could be done on the wreckage afterwards I am on about!!!

You may think Swansea is some quiet little backwater but it's not - actually Britain's 22nd city and a lot bigger than Reading. The traffic here is some of the worst I have seen anywhere. Also the stretch of M4 from Swansea to the Severn bridge is probably the busiest stretch of 2 lane motorway in the UK. Just noticed you live in Reading - the M4 flows far better there than it does this end (I used to work in Bracknell for a while commuting every day) There are also way too many junctions in Wales - none are more than a few miles apart.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Just noticed you live in Reading....

Just? After nearly three and a half years?

Funnily enough I used to do most of my work in South Wales.... typicaly at Alcoa in Swansea, ITT somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Lucas in Cwmbran and Ford in Bridgend and Swansea!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Just? After nearly three and a half years?

Funnily enough I used to do most of my work in South Wales.... typicaly at Alcoa in Swansea, ITT somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Lucas in Cwmbran and Ford in Bridgend and Swansea!

Well since then our glorius government has seen fit to close off roads - make main roads narrower - introduce 4 sets of traffic lights on the main road into the city from the M4 - and now they are creating absolute and total havoc by introducing a traffic scam for the big "bendy buses" and park and ride. This is the park and ride service that carries about 2 passengers at a time!!!

Funnily enough I was talking to a Yank the other day who has come over to strip the Alcoa plant down and send it to Poland.

[pathalla]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Well since then our glorius government has seen fit to close off roads - make main roads narrower - introduce 4 sets of traffic lights on the main road into the city from the M4 - and now they are creating absolute and total havoc by introducing a traffic scam for the big "bendy buses" and park and ride. This is the park and ride service that carries about 2 passengers at a time!!!

Funnily enough I was talking to a Yank the other day who has come over to strip the Alcoa plant down and send it to Poland.

Us Yanks...always stripping something....

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by pathalla

Us Yanks...always stripping something....

You wish...