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Action call to cut shoulder toll

20th April 2000, Page 11
20th April 2000
Page 11
Page 11, 20th April 2000 — Action call to cut shoulder toll
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• More motorway lighting and rumble strips are needed if the number of people killed or injured on motorway hard shoulders is to be cut, says a new report.

The Safe Use of Roadside Verges in Vehicular Emergencies reveals that 250 people are killed or injured on motorway hard shoulders every year in collisions involving parked vehicles.

The report follows a yearlong investigation by the AA, RAC, Institute of Civil Engineers, USE and Highways Agency. It identifies a number of measures that could reduce the accident rate, including:

* Improved marker posts and emergency phone boxes; ie A code of safe working practice for those who work on motorways;

• Urgent research into pedestrian refuges at emergency telephone boxes;

eit Separation of the hard shoulder from running lanes.

The authors call for a public education programme on the correct use of hard shoulders; they will be lobbying the government to implement their recommendations.

AA road services director Alistair Cheyne says: "Around two recovery workers are killed each year while working on hard shoulders and many others are injured. National safety standards need to be developed to stop such needless loss of life."

• The report puts the cost of a one hour delay to a haulier resulting from a motorway collision at £250 per vehicle.


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