Bus firms' call over accidents in Hull city centre
BUS firms are calling for action to reduce the number of accidents with pedestrians in Hull city centre.
Two accidents in little over a week involving buses and pedestrians in the city centre have strengthened calls for action.
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Accident hotspot: A bus in Brook Street, Hull city centre, where another pedestrian was involved in an accident on Wednesday night. Picture: Jim Mitchell
Stagecoach, one of Hull's main bus providers, is now looking at ways to work with Humberside Police and Hull City Council.
Managing director Gary Nolan, of Stagecoach, said: "The main aim is to reduce the amount of accidents in the city and we will do everything we can do to try to make that happen.
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"We will continue to work closely with police and the council to try to reduce the risk of further collisions.
"All of our drivers are put through full training and are also required to undertake 35 hours of additional training to develop their awareness of driving in the city."
In the latest accident, a man suffered minor injuries after being hit by an East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) bus on Wednesday night in Brook Street, the same road where 14-year-old Jack Fisher lost his life in April 2008.
Just days earlier, a woman was seriously hurt after she was involved in an accident with a Stagecoach bus in Margaret Moxon Way, between Paragon Interchange and St Stephen's shopping centre, last Friday.
Since Jack's death, Hull City Council has introduced timers at the crossing in Margaret Moxon Way in a bid to stop pedestrians risking their lives.
Two "countdown timers" were introduced in August.
The displays tell people exactly how long they have to cross the road, counting down the time from the green man to the red man, before buses start to move.
Peter Shipp, chief executive and chairman of EYMS, said pedestrian education is the main way to reduce the number of collisions.
"There is a concern about pedestrians using mobile phones and MP3 players while crossing roads and I think the education pedestrians have on road safety is paramount," he said.
"We will, of course, work with the council, police and Stagecoach to try to implement strategies to reduce accidents.
"Making jay-walking more punishable is perhaps a way to control the problem nationally but that is something that is a long way off."
Hull City Council's assistant head of transport Graham Hall believes the only way to reduce accidents is to get the message across to pedestrians.
"There are a high number of people willing to cross the roads on a red man," he said.
"Road safety is about engineering, enforcement and education."
Comments
by uptoyou1
Saturday, October 27 2012, 10:53AM
“how about installing a swing barrier system that opens and closes for the buses enabling the sheep to keep off the road”
by GCtheDJ
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 11:02PM
“Simple bit of advice to pedestrians. Don't walk, get a bus.”
by doingmybest
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 10:14PM
“Buses are bigger than people, therefore use the crossing properly and there won't be a problem.”
by doingmybest
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 10:13PM
“buses are bigger than people, therefore people should use the crossings correctly. Imagine if everyone went to a crossing and waited for the green man.”
by dlscaiwgh
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:57PM
“It amazes me the number of parents who drag their child or push the buggy across the road when the red man is showing. I wish they would realise that is no way to teach children to cross the road safely.”
by albaz
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:11PM
“Yet again there are calls to make the St Stephens crossing safer but even if this crossing was made idiot proof careless or stupid people would still be able to risk their lives at other nearby crossings. In fact,where the latest collision took place there is no crossing at all and the street is one-way . It is not the fault of the crossing only of the people crossing.”
by getalife12
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 7:52PM
“people dash across the roads without a thought or a care and the busses speed along without much more consideration, I think its no surprise there are accidents, im surprised there have been so few!”
by Lal2092
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 10:33PM
“Bohage, I recommend you use your common sense if you have any! Don't jump the gun and blame bus drivers and insist on them been sacked. It isn't always there fault in these situations, try and understand how much is involved in the job there constantly on the ball when driving down streets like brook street etc.. So things like this don't happen!!!! Get realistic you fool!”
by Demonica666
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:20PM
“Bewildered1;
The quote says it all. The interchange crossing does not have to change. The mentality of some people using the crossing at the interchange needs to change. The crossing is perfectly safe if used correctly but the witless minority will win the day and the council tax payer will be made to foot the bill for the stupid people who cannot cross a road safely.”
by CarmellaBrown
Friday, October 12 2012, 8:24PM
“when i dirve past the crossings on ferensway i always have my hand firmly pressed on the horn so there is no doubt that i am coming so step back and wait your fools”