Man killed in four-car crash (From Daily Echo)
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Pensioner from Surrey dies after accident on A31 at Ringwood
6:00am Thursday 16th February 2012 in News
Man killed in road crash
A PENSIONER has died after a four-car crash on a major Hampshire road last night.
The man in his 70s, who was driving a Daihatsu, was seriously injured in the collision on the A31 near Ringwood, and was later pronounced dead.
No one in the other three cars - two Fords and a Vauxhall - was reported to have been hurt in the crash, which happened shortly before 6pm, near the Ringwood Flyover.
The road was closed for much of the night.
Police said the man who died, who was from Surrey, was travelling alone in the car.
Officers are now in the process of informing his next of kin.
Police are appealing for any witnesses to call Sergeant Andy Tester at the Roads Policing Unit at Whitchurch police station, quoting Operation Calvert, on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments(26)
8089
says...
8:03pm Wed 15 Feb 12
opera phantom
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8:18pm Wed 15 Feb 12
happen. If only people would just slow down and not be so impatient.
Better to arrive a bit late than hours
late, or in some cases not arrive at all
News Fanatic
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8:37pm Wed 15 Feb 12
Huey
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8:49pm Wed 15 Feb 12
What a pointless way to die, some fools can't drive for toffee.
Can't say I am suprised though, with some of the driving I see on the road on a daily basis
Tiz
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8:57pm Wed 15 Feb 12
opera phantom wrote:Agree
Over 90% of accidents just need not
happen. If only people would just slow down and not be so impatient.
Better to arrive a bit late than hours
late, or in some cases not arrive at all
It's better to be 1 hour late in this life than 5 minutes early for the next
Norwegian Saint
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9:30pm Wed 15 Feb 12
So sad if somebody has died.
Glen Wiffen
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9:45pm Wed 15 Feb 12
Sovietobserver
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10:12pm Wed 15 Feb 12
A very distressing and traumatic event for all those involved, including the emergency services.
My condolences to those effected.
British asian
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12:14am Thu 16 Feb 12
Glen Wiffen wrote:I agree with you its mainly stupidity, last tuesday I was heading towards Verwood and on the approach to the Ringwood flyover 2 or 3 cars joined from the slip road out of Hightown(I think it is) the last car joining came straight out into the 2nd lane ie off the slip passed the inner lane into outer lane lucky that I was watching what was happening and was able to brake very very hard. Had the van next to me been 2/3 metres ahead I would not have noticed this car coming into my path, he had not built up any speed hence my hard braking AND to top it was a left hand drive car !! Accidents happen because someone makes a mistake and sometimes others do not know how to make an allowance for it.
It was probably down to stupidity rather than speeding. There are two areas where traffic merges from the left and from experiences in recent years drivers seem to forget that flowing traffic has the right of way. A lot of under cutting also happens there like lane 2 to 3 before the ringwood junction. See it everyday being a regular user of the road. Far too much impatience on the roads.
Tony S
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8:25am Thu 16 Feb 12
Tiz wrote:And how do you know that speed was the main factor?
opera phantom wrote: Over 90% of accidents just need not happen. If only people would just slow down and not be so impatient. Better to arrive a bit late than hours late, or in some cases not arrive at allAgree It's better to be 1 hour late in this life than 5 minutes early for the next
speed is not the cause of most crashes. It is inattention.
Fatigue is also a huge cause of motorway/duel carriage way crashes.
Frogham Ferret
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10:46am Thu 16 Feb 12
News Fanatic
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11:48am Thu 16 Feb 12
Frogham Ferret wrote:You are absolutely correct. While I realise yesterday's tragedy had nothing to do with this, many times I have been heading in the direction of Ferndown when I have had a driver suddenly pull over in front of me, them having been in the wrong lane and heading for Bournemouth. The signposts should be improved to tell drivers who are unfamiliar with the layout which lane they need to be in.
Joining the A31 in eitehr direction is fraught as the design is poor and there is insufficient slipway to see and accelerate. Add to that the complexity west of Ringwood where to stay on the A31 requires several lane changes in a very short distance and you have a recipe for accidents amongst even attentive drivers
Sotonians_lets_pull_together
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11:52am Thu 16 Feb 12
The answer when someone is tailgating is to do what the highway code suggests, and gradually slow down, and then when the car behind has slowed you can gradually increase your speed and open up a safe gap again. Its the only thing that works with the idiots who want to steamroller people out of their path, whatever the dangers to everyone else.
I agree with other comments, it is staggering to see how many people pull out onto a road without regard to the traffic already flowing along the road, expecting other traffic to brake or swerve to avoid. Traffic joining the carriageway should have regard to the traffic already on the carriageway, and join at a safe speed where there is space to do so. If it isnt safe, you slow down, and if necessary stop.
If you cause another car to brake because of how you join a road, you are doing it wrong.
Sotonians_lets_pull_together
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11:54am Thu 16 Feb 12
espanuel
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12:36pm Thu 16 Feb 12
Torchie1
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2:08pm Thu 16 Feb 12
Sotonians_lets_pull_The Highway Code encourages drivers to use lanes 2 and 3 for overtaking before moving back to lane 1. If you have someone tailgating you in lane 1 where you should be unless overtaking , they can move in to lane 2 and pass you. If you are sitting in lane 2 having completed your manouevre, is it you that needs to reaquaint yourself with the Highway Code? Slowing down may be the suggestion in the Highway Code but you are in front of someone who may not be as familiar with it as you and your actions may give you a smug sense of satisfaction but won't defuse the situation for the other driver. Instead of setting yourself up as an unofficial arbiter of road speed, why not pull over and let the driver behind overtake you?
together wrote:
There is far too much tailgating and aggressive driving these days.
The answer when someone is tailgating is to do what the highway code suggests, and gradually slow down, and then when the car behind has slowed you can gradually increase your speed and open up a safe gap again. Its the only thing that works with the idiots who want to steamroller people out of their path, whatever the dangers to everyone else.
I agree with other comments, it is staggering to see how many people pull out onto a road without regard to the traffic already flowing along the road, expecting other traffic to brake or swerve to avoid. Traffic joining the carriageway should have regard to the traffic already on the carriageway, and join at a safe speed where there is space to do so. If it isnt safe, you slow down, and if necessary stop.
If you cause another car to brake because of how you join a road, you are doing it wrong.
IronLady2010
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2:31pm Thu 16 Feb 12
ThinkBeforeYouSpeak
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4:38pm Thu 16 Feb 12
Huey wrote:Thank you for your sensitive comments!!! Seems some fools can't summon tact for toffee either!
Sez on the radio someone is dead.
What a pointless way to die, some fools can't drive for toffee.
Can't say I am suprised though, with some of the driving I see on the road on a daily basis
Just think for one minute that the deceased persons friends and relatives, of which I am one, will be reading your oh so well informed observation and find your implication somewhat offensive.
ThinkBeforeYouSpeak
says...
4:52pm Thu 16 Feb 12
Tony S wrote:Whatever caused this accident a truly wonderful person lost their life today.
Tiz wrote:And how do you know that speed was the main factor?
opera phantom wrote: Over 90% of accidents just need not happen. If only people would just slow down and not be so impatient. Better to arrive a bit late than hours late, or in some cases not arrive at allAgree It's better to be 1 hour late in this life than 5 minutes early for the next
speed is not the cause of most crashes. It is inattention.
Fatigue is also a huge cause of motorway/duel carriage way crashes.
To anyone who has views on the inabilities of the driver who lost his life, I can assure you they are utterly misplaced. As chivalrous a driver as they were a person, and one who was just as happy to be home with their family in one piece as opposed to being there the fastest.
Not one person commenting knows the circumstances of this terrible accident, and I truly pray that it was just that, an accident.
I would truly like to drive along the roads that soem people think they drive on, where no-one speeds, no one perceives road ownership and where no family member has to be the one opening the door last night to the policeman that was stood on their doorstep!!
We will miss you terribly and hope that east one person reading this drives a little safer from now on.
Mark_Jordan
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7:08pm Thu 16 Feb 12
ThinkBeforeYouSpeak wrote:I for one commend you on your brave post.
Tony S wrote:Whatever caused this accident a truly wonderful person lost their life today.
Tiz wrote:And how do you know that speed was the main factor?
opera phantom wrote: Over 90% of accidents just need not happen. If only people would just slow down and not be so impatient. Better to arrive a bit late than hours late, or in some cases not arrive at allAgree It's better to be 1 hour late in this life than 5 minutes early for the next
speed is not the cause of most crashes. It is inattention.
Fatigue is also a huge cause of motorway/duel carriage way crashes.
To anyone who has views on the inabilities of the driver who lost his life, I can assure you they are utterly misplaced. As chivalrous a driver as they were a person, and one who was just as happy to be home with their family in one piece as opposed to being there the fastest.
Not one person commenting knows the circumstances of this terrible accident, and I truly pray that it was just that, an accident.
I would truly like to drive along the roads that soem people think they drive on, where no-one speeds, no one perceives road ownership and where no family member has to be the one opening the door last night to the policeman that was stood on their doorstep!!
We will miss you terribly and hope that east one person reading this drives a little safer from now on.
I wish you and the gentlemens friends and family all the best.
Surreyishome
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7:20pm Thu 16 Feb 12
Datarater
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9:28am Fri 17 Feb 12
yorkshire-exile
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3:29pm Fri 17 Feb 12
MissA
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4:05pm Fri 17 Feb 12
espanuel wrote:My thoughts exactly re falling ill at wheel. there was an incident recently when someone had a heart attack whilst driving, causing an accident- unfortunately that person died too b4 getting to hospital,
Lots of comments on here and all assuming. What if the driver was taken ill at the wheel? Think about it, and hate to see a lot of you on a jury.
opera phantom
says...
11:28pm Fri 17 Feb 12
Tony S wrote:I did't say speed was the cause of this
Tiz wrote:And how do you know that speed was the main factor?
opera phantom wrote: Over 90% of accidents just need not happen. If only people would just slow down and not be so impatient. Better to arrive a bit late than hours late, or in some cases not arrive at allAgree It's better to be 1 hour late in this life than 5 minutes early for the next
speed is not the cause of most crashes. It is inattention.
Fatigue is also a huge cause of motorway/duel carriage way crashes.
particular accident. I also mentioned
people being impatient.
The purpose of my comment was to generalise about most accidents and the
standard of driving.
What is wrong about slowing down a bit
at ALL speeds and taking more care
Sovietobserver says...
7:37pm Wed 15 Feb 12