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Signs call for M65 after deer killed
4:06pm Thursday 3rd July 2008
BOSSES could make motorway changes after a driver knocked down and killed a deer on the M65.
Chris Nolan, 52, of Rostle Top Road, Earby, was driving along the motorway’s east-bound carriageway, between junctions 14 and 13, early on Monday morning when the animal appeared in front of him from the central reservation.
Now county highways chiefs say new signs, and higher fences, could be installed to avoid a repeat accident.
Traffic engineer Mr Nolan said: “I saw a little head pop out from the central reserv-ation and then he ran on to the motorway.
“I was going at about 65mph, so there was no chance of me stopping.
“It bounced off my car and landed on the hard shoulder.
“I pulled up on the hard shoulder to check my car and saw that it was dead.”
Mr Nolan’s Rover 25 was left with around £2,000 worth of damage, and insurers say it could be a write-off.
Afterwards, he contacted the Highways Agency, which passed on his comments to Lancashire County Council, which is responsible for the eastern end of the M65.
A county council spokes-man said: “This is something we will take a look at and if Mr Nolan gets in touch with us, we will speak to him and look if anything needs to be done.”
Wildlife expert Brian Jackson, of Pendle Friends of the Earth, said the area of the M65 close to Colne and Barrowford was a hotbed for wild deer.
He added: “I think motorists should be on the lookout for deer on the motorway, part-icularly in the morning.
“If people are on their way to work around 6am, or 7am, it will be light and there may be deer around. Drivers should be careful because they won’t be expecting them – and the deer won’t be expecting cars.
“I would say better fencing is definitely needed on the motorway, along with some signage.”
Your Say YourTelegraph
AccyDave, Accrington says...
9:30pm Thu 3 Jul 08
So are you suggesting we make every street totally different to make driving more of a challenge, and therefore drivers will concentrate more?
pip pip!, Hyndburn says...
3:11am Fri 4 Jul 08
Your sayYourTelegraph
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Driver Awareness, Great Harwood says...
6:03pm Thu 3 Jul 08
It's the same with this newspaper and its 'Wasted Lives' Campaign.
It is suggested that the authorities put up signs for warning of deer!
What about a sign for sheep?
What about a sign for dogs when the motorway passes close to residential areas?
What about a sign for cats?
What about a sign warning of 'spray' when it rains?
Is there anything more patronising and a total waste of precious metal, time, workmanship etc. when all these signs are erected and the only people who will take notice of them are the people who don't need them.
Think about this please: Driver psychology is the only answer towards improving driver thinking. We need to get into 'The Mind' and address the matter of 'why do we act in the way we do?
Fact: Good drivers do not need Warning Signs and bad drivers never use them.
Try this the next time you are a passenger in a vehicle: Ask the driver what the last sign was that they have just passed. The silence will be deafening - or a guess.
May I suggest to all those able: Go onto a computer Search Engine on and type "Hans Monderman". This is a man who got rid of all street furniture (signs, road markings, pavements) and vastly improved road safety in Holland. The secret: His measures required drivers to think.
On the other hand, take a read of the book, 'Mind How You Go'
Are you listening LET? Let's do something positive and effective for a change. Road safety needs a radical change of direction. Good teachers are communicators and if you don't communicate you are wasting everybody's time.