Our wonderful government is determined to raise the motorway speed limit from 70mph to 80mph, just to save the odd motorist a couple of minutes on a few journeys. They are deaf to arguments that it will increase carbon emissions, and because road deaths have fallen drastically over the past few years, they don't seem to realise that accidents that might have caused injury at 70mph will in all likelihood cause deaths at 80mph.
It seems that they have "put the mockers" on the road safety situation, and that fate has decided to take a hand in the matter.
Last night a number of vehicles - many of them large articulated lorries - crashed on the M5 motorway in Somerset, in the West Country. There was then a fireball that engulfed many of the vehicles. The news overnight was that 27 vehicles had been involved, but now the fire is out, this has been revised up to 34. Imagine that, seven vehicles hidden among the flames, presumably with their occupants burning alive inside them.
So far, 7 people have been found dead, but the emergency services fully expect there to be more among the wreckage. It is not yet known what caused the accident, but there appear to have been three possible contributory factors - fog, wet road surface, and the distraction of a nearby firework display. Add to that people going too fast for the conditions, and to want to increase the speed limit seems criminal.
It seems that they have "put the mockers" on the road safety situation, and that fate has decided to take a hand in the matter.
Last night a number of vehicles - many of them large articulated lorries - crashed on the M5 motorway in Somerset, in the West Country. There was then a fireball that engulfed many of the vehicles. The news overnight was that 27 vehicles had been involved, but now the fire is out, this has been revised up to 34. Imagine that, seven vehicles hidden among the flames, presumably with their occupants burning alive inside them.
So far, 7 people have been found dead, but the emergency services fully expect there to be more among the wreckage. It is not yet known what caused the accident, but there appear to have been three possible contributory factors - fog, wet road surface, and the distraction of a nearby firework display. Add to that people going too fast for the conditions, and to want to increase the speed limit seems criminal.
The fire engulfing vehicles on the motorway.
The accident scene from the air in daylight.
Some vehicles have melted on to the carriageway.
Oh Val, that's just horrendous. :( plus driving faster uses way more gas and it's expensive as it is.
ReplyDeleteHow tragic. In Maryland there is a highway campaign that jus says "Speed Kills" Maybe the government should re-evaluate their decision to raise the speed limit.
ReplyDeleteWow, 80 mph is really fast. And I thought our 70 mph was bad! I also hope your government changes their decision.
ReplyDeleteMontana used to have no speed limit in many parts of the state, but now it's 75 mph.
ReplyDeleteEnglish language question--what are mockers?
ReplyDeleteI wondered if it was a shared phrase, Vikeau. To put the mockers on something is a bit like tempting fate, to ruin the chances of success. There we were with these safe vehicles on safe roads having fewer fatalities, and as soon as the government uses it as an excuse to raise the speed limit, there's this terrible accident and all these people dead and injured. They put the mockers on their own plans, and our road safety, all in one go.
ReplyDeleteDiane sent me articles about the accident, it's Horrible. I firmly believe that 'speed kills'. There is No reason to go over 70mph (and sometimes I think that's too fast)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, it wouldn't matter if the speed limit was that dictated by a man with a flag walking in front of the car, there's always someone who wants to go FASTER......Even if I do the speed limit on the motorway (which I rarely do, 60-65mph is fast enough for me thank you), people regularly fly passed me as if I'm barely moving.
ReplyDeleteThe recipe for disaster in this case seems to be speed/fog/rain and possibly a firework party going on just off the motorway, but we'll have to wait to find out what the official verdict is.
Thanks val so its like tempting fate. Soory that it will take such a tradgey to open the gov't eyes to the folly of their ways.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood peoples need to go everywhere fast.This crash was a tragedy waiting to happen I think, what with weather conditions, fireworks and human fallibility(?)
ReplyDeleteTragic, indeed. Fog + wetness + highspeed = accidents and posible fatalities. Not to mention people texting, talking on cells, eating and putting on makeup. Cheers!!
ReplyDelete