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Fatal crash sparks urgent demand for road safety overhaul by MP

An urgent meeting has been demanded by Frome’s MP following another fatal collision on the A361[1]. Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, is demanding immediate action, calling for a meeting with Somerset Council.

A silver Mercedes C220 AMG was in collision with a silver Volkswagen Golf at the junction of the A361 and A362 on Monday (April 8). The young woman who was driving the Golf was critically injured and died at the scene. The sole occupant of the Mercedes, a man in his fifties, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving and drug driving.

Anyone who has dashcam, CCTV or other footage of the incident, or any information about the circumstances leading to the collision, is urged to call 101, quoting reference 5224089811.

Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, said: “The Frome bypass is riddled with blackspots along its entire length. Three lives have been lost on this stretch of road within nine months and that simply can’t continue. Road traffic collisions have a physical, emotional, social and economic impact on all those involved, and on the wider community.

“I’m demanding an urgent meeting with Somerset Council to discuss how we can work together with stakeholders to design a set of principles and policies aimed at eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on the A361 specifically, but also across the county’s road network.”

In July 2023 sisters Maddie and Libby North were killed[2] when a car struck them at 100mph head on. Thomas Lenthall, 40, who was driving a powerful Audi RS 6, was told he would serve at least two-thirds of his sentence in jail for the deaths when he was sentenced in December.

In March a campaign to curb dangerous driving and make roads across Somerset[3] safer has been launched after a "deeply disturbing" rise in the number of fatal collisions. 30 people died while travelling on Somerset’s roads in 2023, which is nearly a 43 per cent increase on the figure for 2022 and the highest number of fatalities in 10 years.

Of the 30 fatal casualties, 11 were car drivers, 12 motorcyclists, four were car passengers, and three were pedestrians. There is no particular cause or issue thought to be responsible for the increase in serious and fatal crashes.

According to Avon and Somerset Police, 76 per cent of the collisions involve one or more of the following five behaviours:

  • Intoxicated driving, (drink or drugs)
  • Careless or inconsiderate driving
  • Excessive Speed
  • Mobile phone use or distraction, or
  • Failing to wear a seatbelt.

References

  1. ^ another fatal collision on the A361 (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
  2. ^ In July 2023 sisters Maddie and Libby North were killed (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
  3. ^ In March a campaign to curb dangerous driving and make roads across Somerset (www.somersetlive.co.uk)

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