Slippery surfaces catch out motorists (From Oxford Mail)
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Slippery surfaces catch out motorists
5:12pm Monday 1st February 2010 in News
ICE and snow caused a spate of accidents on Oxfordshire’s roads during today’s morning rush-hour.
There were crashes across the county, although drivers escaped serious injury.
James Keating-Wilkes, a spokesman for South Central Ambulance, said: “There was a series of accidents on the M40 north of Oxford, and the B4100 near Bicester was also difficult to drive on.
“I think drivers dismissed the snow, because it was powdery, but combined with the black ice, it was extremely dangerous.
“Our staff were very busy and a number of drivers were taken to hospital.”
The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance was called to a crash at the Little Coxwell turn on the A420 at 9.25am.
Two cars were involved in a collision on the ice in Hanney Road, Steventon, but no-one was hurt. Firefighters freed a driver from an overturned car on the A361, near the Tews turn, east of Chipping Norton. He was treated by paramedics.
County council spokesman Paul Smith said: “We did grit the roads. However, it was on the basis of A-routes only, following Government instructions to all councils to cut back on gritting.”
Comments(6)
PaulSte
says...
5:52pm Mon 1 Feb 10
Mr Beavis wrote:Yep. Its all the council's fault. As usual. They are such a shower for not stopping the snow falling from the sky.
Notice the fleet of gritters out making sure the roads are safe for the council tax payers of Oxfordshire!!! NOT!!! Nice to see we are getting the service we are paying for and it's not going to top up the pension pot????
mechcol
says...
5:57pm Mon 1 Feb 10
PaulSte wrote:I thought it was the ice that was causing the problem not the light dusting of snow......which normally when you grit(salt)seems to solve the problem...ahh yes theres that magical word "GRIT" something Oxfordshire have a lack of....
Mr Beavis wrote: Notice the fleet of gritters out making sure the roads are safe for the council tax payers of Oxfordshire!!! NOT!!! Nice to see we are getting the service we are paying for and it's not going to top up the pension pot????Yep. Its all the council's fault. As usual. They are such a shower for not stopping the snow falling from the sky.
Patrick Ward
says...
11:50am Tue 2 Feb 10
I had a prang in early 80s on Southern Bypass in snow & ice because drivers behind me couldn't stop in time and pushed me into car in front!
jillyh
says...
12:52pm Tue 2 Feb 10
Patrick Ward wrote:Sorry but you can blame the council totally. Unfortunately there are some stupid drivers but none of the roads in Witney were treated and I didn't get out of second gear through the town and up onto Madley Park where, on turning carefully into the estate, ended up in the middle of the road! I wasn't the only one either. Am waiting on a response from the council. Mechcol's post hit the nail on the head.
You can blame the Council but hte simple fact is drivers are driving without considering the adverse conditions, ie too fast and too close! I had a prang in early 80s on Southern Bypass in snow & ice because drivers behind me couldn't stop in time and pushed me into car in front!
The Ferryman
says...
2:24pm Tue 2 Feb 10
Mr Beavis says...
5:34pm Mon 1 Feb 10
Nice to see we are getting the service we are paying for and it's not going to top up the pension pot????