July 17th, 2009
A man has been paid what is believed to be a multi-million pound sum in compensation after suffering terrible injuries in a road crash.
David Gratton, now 26, was a soldier in the Coldstream Guards in February 2005 and was travelling in a Land Rover along the M3 in Hampshire.
However, the vehicle was hit by a milk tanker and Mr Gratton was almost killed. He now faces a lifetime of serious mobility and cognitive problems and cannot talk.
With the help of his family, Mr Gratton sued Malcolm Hibbard, the driver of the tanker. His insurers have now admitted liability and have agreed to an undisclosed compensation settlement.
"I am just grateful it is all over. It has taken a long time but it is enough to pay for all his needs for the rest of his life," said Mr Gratton’s father Alan.
According to a survey carried out by the Road Safety Foundation, as many as 25 per cent of motorways fail to rate as safe.
Tags: Cognitive Problems, Coldstream Guards, Father Alan, February 2005, Land Rover, Life Quot, Lifetime, Long Time, M3, Milk Tanker, Road Accident, Road Crash, Road Safety, Safety Foundation, Soldier
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September 26th, 2008
A young woman who was hit by an ambulance while driving her car has launched a compensation bid against the driver she claims was responsible.
Jessica Barnett was 17 at the time of the accident in February last year, which saw the emergency vehicle hit her Renault Clio while trying to overtake her.
Ms Barnett was in a coma for 18 days and was left with visual damage, scarring, impaired coordination and speech difficulties, the Southern Daily Echo reports.
She is now seeking a seven-figure payout from paramedic and ambulance driver Andrew Collis and the NHS trust.
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Mr Collis deny liability for the accident.
Emergency vehicles are largely governed by the same road safety principles as other drivers, but it may be possible to claim compensation if a person is hit and injured, provided it can be proven that the emergency vehicle driver was responsible.
Tags: Ambulance Driver, Ambulance Service Nhs Trust, Barnett, Bid, Collis, Compensation Claim, Coordination, Emergency Vehicle, Emergency Vehicles, Paramedic, Renault, Renault Clio, Road Safety, Safety Principles, Southern Daily Echo, Speech Difficulties, Young Woman
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July 28th, 2008
A company in County Durham has banned its employees from using mobile phones while they are at the wheel.
Workers at the 3M manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe have been told they cannot use mobiles, or even hands-free devices, while using their cars for business.
The company has been running a child safety road campaign since 2005, which has involved the distribution of 95,000 high visibility vests to young people in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on roads in the area.
Doug Mitchell, 3M’s managing director, said there is compelling evidence that using mobiles while driving impairs a motorist’s performance.
Katie Shephard, fundraising manager for the road safety charity Brake, agreed: "Research has shown that it is the phone conversation that distracts and kills, regardless of whether a hands-free kit is used or not."
She added: "We hope other companies will follow 3M’s lead and introduce this ban as part of their health and safety policy."
Tags: 3m, Accidents, Charity, Child Safety, Compelling Evidence, County Durham, Doug Mitchell, Hands Free Kit, Health And Safety, High Visibility, Managing Director, Manufacturing Plant, Mobile Phone Use, Mobile Phones, Newton Aycliffe, Phone Conversation, Road Safety, Safety Policy, Visibility Vests, Wheel
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July 23rd, 2008
The technological complexity of satnav systems is leading to an increased risk of accidents on UK roads, it has been claimed.
According to the Press Association, more than one-third of satnav users said the devices caused them uncertainty or confusion, while 11 per cent believe they can lead to a loss of concentration while at the wheel.
Ten per cent of drivers also admitted they had made a dangerous, late or illegal turn, due to their satnavs.
Maggie Game, head of car insurance firm Direct Line, commented: "Motorists need to realise that while satnavs are a helpful navigation tool, drivers should not follow their instructions to the detriment of road safety."
She added: "If a satnav system gives you an instruction which is likely to endanger other road users, you should ignore it."
PC Advisor reports that with 14 million UK drivers now using satnav systems, they could be responsible for up to 30,000 accidents every year.
Tags: Accident Risk, Accidents, Car Insurance, Confusion, Detriment, Game Head, Insurance Firm, Loss Of Concentration, Maggie, Motorists, Navigation Tool, Road Safety, Road Users, Satnav, Satnavs, Technological Complexity, Uk Drivers, Uk Roads, Uncertainty, Wheel
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July 2nd, 2008
Over a half (52 per cent) of people polled in a recent survey claimed that warning signs on UK roads do not give adequate warning about the location of speed cameras.
Almost a third (30 per cent) of respondents said they always apply the brakes when they see a speed camera, while 53 per cent said they felt distracted by the devices, according to the study for OnlyFinance.com.
The financial advisors commented: "Where cameras are meant to improve road safety this is obviously a concerning development, as it seems cameras enhance dangerous driving, as drivers are paying more attention to where a camera is than other cars."
Drivers in Essex have also apparently complained that local police have been concealing speed cameras behind other vehicles.
In 2004, chief constable Mike Hedges of South Yorkshire Police said that a significant amount of public goodwill concerning speed cameras had been lost because it is simply seen as a way of generating revenue, rather than genuinely improving road safety.
Tags: Brakes, Cars, Chief Constable, Dangerous Driving, Essex, Financial Advisors, Lost, Mike Hedges, Motorists, Other Vehicles, Public Goodwill, Respondents, Road Safety, South Yorkshire Police, Speed Camera, Speed Cameras, Uk Roads, Warning Signs, Yorkshire
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