M5 disaster intensifies the 80mph argument
The tragic events on the M5 at the weekend have fanned the flames of 80mph debate and its implications for Britain’s road safety record.
Seven people lost their lives in the devastating 34-vehicle pileup involving articulated lorries and cars travelling northbound near junction 25 at 8.25pm last Friday [4 November].
Eyewitnesses have alleged that the accident may have been sparked after drivers had their view obscured by a ‘smoke bank’ caused by a nearby bonfire display at Taunton Rugby Club while fog patches and impaired visibility have also been suggested as a contributory factor. Police investigations into the exact causes are ongoing.
The M5 was immediately closed between junctions 23 and 26 for 48 hours until emergency services could reach and tend to casualties, many of whom were ‘sandwiched’ in their vehicle.
Trial should proceed
Transport Minister Mike Penning has said that no conclusions can be made before the result of an inquiry into the crash.
However, Simon Best, CEO of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, believes a trial introduction of 80mph on certain roads should still go ahead.
Mr Best says that variable speed limit technology would ensure that drivers don’t make 90mph the unofficial speed limit and deliver fierce enforcement, creating what he calls ‘Controlled’ and ‘Managed Motorways’.
Simon comments: “A fifth of motorway-users already travel at this increased speed, and more than half exceed 72mph when they can, suggesting that a properly controlled 80mph limit may not show huge increases in carbon or road casualties.
“A detailed trial is needed to assess these risks though, and if they are shown to increase significantly, of course a better-enforced 70 limit may be a more appropriate system.”
The AA claims that the number of annual road deaths on Britain’s roads today (1,850) is a third of 1958’s figure, when Britain’s first motorway opened (5,970) despite nearly seven times as many cars on the road (31m to 4.5m).
Carnage
Ellen Booth, Senior Campaigns Officer for road safety charity Brake, agreed that although fatalities on UK roads are rare, crashes are more likely to result to death when they do occur due to the high speeds involved.
“It’s really important to stress that this kind of carnage is happening on a daily basis on our roads – five people are killed every day, but this often doesn’t make the headlines,” she told the BBC.
Simon Best also argued that the IAM’s recent poll of 2,400 motorists found that the majority of them are ready for the motorway speed limit to be raised.
“The Transport Secretary should now publish a consultation with firm proposals,” he added.
RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning believes that “lessons must be learned by everyone involved” while ABD Chairman Brian Gregory anticipated some groups would refer to the incident in support for their argument against the speed limit increase despite the speed of HGVs being capped at 56mph.
“Accidents aren’t caused by a ‘number on a pole’ and the M5 disaster will be shown to be no exception,” he commented.
“The proposed change to 80 mph is in order to bring the limit in line with the 85th percentile speed (the speed that 85% of drivers choose not to exceed).”
Damage
Anthony Bangham, Assistant Chief Constable for Avon and Somerset Constabulary, confirmed that the road affected has been resurfacing with safety barriers repaired.
“This incident caused a significant amount of damage to the highway,” explained the Incident Commander.
“A stretch of 40 metres of road was damaged by fuel spillage from vehicles and a stretch of 60 metres was damaged by intense fire.”
Both northbound and southbound carriageways have now reopened.
Anthony Bangham describes the M5 aftermath in the clip below:
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1 Comment
This accident was caused by a bank of smoke surely & it would be inappropriate to have driven through it at 70mph, so this is not a speed limit issue. This seems to be an excuse for the under-informed to have a pop at the long overdue limit increase. The mild increase brings us in line with similar European country’s limits.
Laird Assessors
November 10, 2011, 9:01 pm.
