KING’S LYNN: Tragic weekend on roads leads us to ask - What should be done?
A Jeep Cherokee sits at the start of Queen Elizabeth Way on the Hardwick roundabout after having its roof removed following a RTC during the morning rush.
There were five deaths on Norfolk’s roads last weekend, including that of police community support officer Sandra Greenacre on the A149 at Sandringham.
In the county as a whole 353 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions in the 12 months to the end of January.
Aside from the unquantifiable human cost, the Department for Transport estimates the annual cost of road crashes in the county is approximately £155 million – based on the costs to the emergency services, health service, loss of income and crash damage.
In light of the figures and the recent tragedies we asked shoppers in Lynn what could be done to make our roads safer and reduce the number of collisions on them.
Jean Andreson, 54, of Highgate, Lynn, said: “There are a lot of potholes for a start.
“There should be more speed cameras or they ought to alter speeds, though there are some drivers that don’t take any notice. People do travel too fast.
“There are also a lot of people going round with no insurance that shouldn’t be on the roads.”
Barry Whisler, 66, of Downham Road, Watlington, said: “Speeding is definitely an issue. Some roads also need to be better organised – like Hardwick roundabout. That is very difficult to negotiate for people who don’t know it.”
Kaye McNab, 56, of Shelley Close, Downham, said: “There are too many signs, potholes cause accidents and a lot of people don’t use indicators.
“I have a sports car but I’m careful. So many people aren’t.”
Craig Larkin, 49, of Lynn, said: “Reduction of speed on cars before they are sold is what is needed. There are too many cars that are too powerful for the driver.
“Parking on the sides of roads is also an issue. It obstructs views.”
Jose Mendonca, 49, a keen cyclist, of Bird Close, West Lynn, said: “The roads are in a terrible state with holes everywhere and there needs to be more cycle paths.
“More traffic lights are needed at certain junctions.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Heavy rain
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: North east
