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multi Crash accident on M40 yesterday

(13 Posts)
AlieOxon Mon 16-Feb-15 19:34:08

6pm news - they are still trying to work out what happened exactly, and think there were 6 or 7 accidents close together as fog came down?

Soutra Mon 16-Feb-15 09:35:53

This extension of lanes to include the hard shoulder when there is congestion as for instance on the M6 approaching Birmingham, or in order to widen a M way as has happened on swathes of the M25 is bound to lead to confusion, and I have before now felt it was an accident waiting to happen. A momentary lapse of concentration is all it takes.
I got major fright yesterday when on our way back from Birmingham and 2 police cars "undertook" me easily doing 3digits down the hard shoulder I assume to some emergency as there was no sign of an accident where I saw them stopped further on.

ninathenana Mon 16-Feb-15 09:12:06

I hear the coach driver has been charged with dangerous driving. The coach company is based local to me. Ex SiL used to work for them.

My thoughts are with Jake D.

Soutra Mon 16-Feb-15 08:33:35

I am sorry this is dropping off the bottom of the page. If you are of a praying inclination, please include Jake D.

Tegan Sun 15-Feb-15 19:05:19

Oh that's so sad sad.

Soutra Sun 15-Feb-15 18:48:19

Slightly at a tangent I knew and taught 2 of the young men involved in the M1 hard shoulder crash also yesterday. A group had gone down to London to celebrate the 21st birthday of one of the lads. They had booked a coach (not the one involved in the accident) , but for whatever reason 3 of them had not been able to get seats so decided to take a taxi back up.
RIP Tom - all are praying that Jake will pull through despite serious head injuries.sad

annodomini Sun 15-Feb-15 16:22:29

I remember driving most of the way from Kilmarnock to Dundee in freezing fog in 1964. I'm not sure I'd have the nerve all these years later. Ah, the confidence of youth!

tanith Sun 15-Feb-15 15:54:24

The problem with fog is when its patchy and unpredictable, you can run in and out of patches so quickly especially on the motorway, why people can't just drive at a reasonable speed for the conditions is beyond me, they really shouldn't be on the road. That patch of the A40 very often has patchy fog not sure if warnings would help to be honest.

AlieOxon Sun 15-Feb-15 15:48:13

I really HATE driving in fog. Once I was with kids in Scotland and had to keep the passenger door open to see the side of the road, so as to know where I was!
I sang the whole way because I was terrified. (Didn't want the kids to pick up on it!)

Charleygirl Sun 15-Feb-15 15:09:20

I could not agree more HildaW. The other afternoon the sun was low and so strong that when I drove around a corner I could not see a thing so I was driving at a very slow pace when a clown raced past me at around 40 mph in a 30 mph area. They are the ones who usually get off without a bruise, it is the more careful drivers who suffer.

HildaW Sun 15-Feb-15 14:40:38

Quite Mishap....I am not the worlds best driver but my speed is in relation to how far ahead I can see be it fog, rain or twisty bends.....around these pesky wiggly and hedged Herefordshire roads its imperative. If you can't see what's ahead........you jolly well slow down......not exactly rocket science and I certainly do not need a sign to tell me!

Mishap Sun 15-Feb-15 14:10:33

Slowing down in fog or other dangerous conditions simply requires a few brain cells - sadly some drivers seem to leave these at home.

12Michael Sun 15-Feb-15 13:44:40

I whilst travelling by bus from Bicester to Oxford , was still seeing scenes, as I went past at 1025 ,and returning at 1320.
The chaos caused by vehicles making diversions, with the junction itself having just had improvements made at the A34/A41.
You had speed restriction sign showing 50mph on the slip road , the are is subject to fog allot, and no overhead gantry's on the M40 which could show flashing fog indications and slow down.
Mick