www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/4889907.Wom...t_is_lowered/?ref=mr

As if a 50 limit is going to do any good there. Willing to bet that the accident was probably due to someone cutting the corner off, and this is because a) the road is narrow on the bend and b) people can't drive.

We'll never solve (b) apart from by the natural darwinian process, so this leaves us (a).
To solve (a) you either make it a 30 limit on the bend so people don't have to drive so badly to get round the corner (and when they do fail to negotiate the corner correctly, it's at a snail's pace), or you widen the road on the corner to allow for the muppets referred to in (b).

Doesn't help that some of the ruddy street lights still aren't working there either, a whole year after the lack of were blamed for previous accidents there too!!

Why do people have to drive so damned fast there anyway! It's just plain dumb!

Nasty bit of road that, and it's not the only tricky bit on the road between Ilkley and Otley.

I agree, a much lower speed limit is required, with more markings on and around the road, better lighting and if necessary a camera.

Before going back in to catering, I trained as a Driving Instructor, had my own business etc.

Personally, I think that what ever the speed limit is, it doesen't make a difference to the accident ratio.

The fact is that when people (mainly young lads) pass their test, they think they can handle anything.

People have to drive to the condition of the roads, forward plan, see what is ahead and act on what they see.

What is around the bend? Who knows till they get there, sometimes it is then too late.

People have said about poor lighting, adding cameras etc, but at the end of the day we are all responsible for our actions/decisions, if there were speed restrictions how many would adhere to them? Cameras - £60 fine - 3 points.

Loads to be said on this subject, but I think that education is the key.

Damned right. I wasn't actually advocating a lower speed limit, because as you say, regardless of the limit, people will still get it wrong.
Given the amount of traffic that passes that dangerous challenging bend, the amount of accidents is actually fairly low, I think.

Cameras? *sigh*. Is that the only way we can solve anything in this world we live in now? It's a sad affair. The more we know about, thanks to the ever connected world, the more we have to use the technology to stop ourselves knowing about it. There's nothing new about what happens in the world today, we just know about it more.
Sorry, I digressed there.

mrmoosehead wrote:
www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/4889907.Wom...t_is_lowered/?ref=mr

As if a 50 limit is going to do any good there. Willing to bet that the accident was probably due to someone cutting the corner off, and this is because a) the road is narrow on the bend and b) people can't drive.

We'll never solve (b) apart from by the natural darwinian process.

Unfortunately, the darwinian process is imperfect. Its often the maniac driver who survives a crash in which others are killed. But since 99.9% of drivers safely navigate these bends in all kinds of weather conditions and street lights are inappropriate in a rural setting I think the only change should be improved road markings & danger signs.

No it's not tricky bit of road.
Tt's a fast approach from burley but if drivers refuse to slow down they'll be through the hedge.
It would be better to have more of a camber and wider run off.
I travel daily pretty fast along there with no problems.
I think the straight strech on the way to the Burley roundabout is potentially more dangerous because of the speeds involved.
As a later poster suggests it's down to driver anticipation.
We don't know the circumstances of this crash yet. (Was a driver using a mobile phone illegally? Don't get me going on that subject...)

Lets wait and see before evry road is made perfectly straight with enormous signs, lights and cameras.

It's all very well saying it's a straightforward bend and education is the solution. The reality is that people are being injured and killed at that bend. It is nonsensical to assume that better lighting and other improvements will have no effect in reducing the number of accidents.

The fact of the matter is, is that you should be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear, so if you can only see 50 yards/metres ahead you should adjust your speed accordingly to be able to stop within that distance.

How many of us was doing the speed limit in the snow and ice recently? not many I would have thought, which means we adjusted our speed to suit the conditions.

Nothing in driving is black and white, it is up to the driver of the vehicle to ensure his/her safety as well as other road users' safety.

It's all to easy to 'blame' someone else or the condition of the roads, lighting, camber, or whatever, but any road is only as safe as the driver

As I said before, driving is about good observation and anticipation, what is around the bend? no one knows till they get there, so to anticipate something being there and driving at a speed to be able to deal with that is essential, if nothing is there to worry about, then it's a bonus, but if there is something then you're ready for it.

bristol bumpkin wrote:
The fact of the matter is, is that you should be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear, so if you can only see 50 yards/metres ahead you should adjust your speed accordingly to be able to stop within that distance.

How many of us was doing the speed limit in the snow and ice recently? not many I would have thought, which means we adjusted our speed to suit the conditions.

Nothing in driving is black and white, it is up to the driver of the vehicle to ensure his/her safety as well as other road users' safety.

It's all to easy to 'blame' someone else or the condition of the roads, lighting, camber, or whatever, but any road is only as safe as the driver

As I said before, driving is about good observation and anticipation, what is around the bend? no one knows till they get there, so to anticipate something being there and driving at a speed to be able to deal with that is essential, if nothing is there to worry about, then it's a bonus, but if there is something then you're ready for it.

I totally agree with you.
I was always told to anticipate and drive as if my brakes were'nt working. Sounds extreme but I've never forgotton it.
Saves fuel too.