Speed bumps are in themselves dangerous
UNDOUBTEDLY the many accidents at Morley corner have been associated with drivers breaking the law by exceeding the island speed limit of 35mph. For there is no doubt that modern vehicles can safely take that corner at that speed.
The recent addition of illuminated ‘LED cat’s eyes’ has made the corner even easier to follow at night for those unfamiliar with the road.
The suggestion that speed bumps or platforms should be placed both sides of the corner will have no effect on those who have crashed in the past and who will do so in the future – simply because a few drivers will continue to break the law, either intentionally or by carelessness. The addition of obstructions will simply make their excessive speed or careless driving even more dangerous.
Speed bumps and ‘tables’ are in themselves dangerous in that they intentionally shake the contents of vehicles, particularly passengers, they can cause damage to low-slung vehicles – often expensive sports cars – and can be particularly concerning to disabled passengers in special vehicles.
In the absence of any statistics on exactly how many accidents there have been and how many pedestrians, drivers and passengers have been involved, we can only act on the personal statements of neighbours.
What is required is better policing of the corner and the bringing to book of those offenders. It may well be that cameras and the necessary law change will be the only option.
As a general comment, there appear to be more crashes and turned-over cars than ever before. Does this reflect the quality of driving instruction and testing?
ROY BISSON
St Martin’s