Yahoo News Safety review shows it's not just me who questions turning off motorway lights
This week councillors in Hyndburn called for an urgent safety audit and review following what they see as a "recent spate" of incidents on the M65.
This includes, but isn't limited to, "assessing if in certain sections better lighting could reduce accidents and exploring additional safety measures across the M65" particularly in East Lancashire between junctions 5 and 14 as well as junctions 2 and 3.
Their call for a safety review, by National Highways which manages and maintains the motorway network, echoes concerns I raised earlier this year after I was told that efforts to reduce the carbon footprint were behind switching off lights on the M6 in Lancashire.
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I wrote in February that I find it utterly unfathomable when I drive on the M6 and clock the "no street lighting between midnight and 5am" signs. Isn't that the EXACT TIME when you would need lights on a road?!
National Highways told me: "It's about carefully identifying the locations where, under the revised guidelines, we would not consider installing lighting.
"On this stretch of the M6, we expect to reduce annual carbon emissions by about 148 tonnes. Local communities will benefit from reduced light pollution of the night sky. We will also use the money we save elsewhere on the strategic road network where it would have a more significant safety benefit and potentially save more lives."
My interpretation of the first element of this comment is that, given the straight nature of these sections of the motorway, lighting would not materially impact on safety. But, of course, the ability for motorists to see other vehicles is only one aspect of safety.
The councillors in Hyndburn highlighted several incidents which involved pedestrians on the motorway. It's all well and good saying that motorists can see other, lit, vehicles but only street lighting would effectively 'light up' a pedestrian wearing dark clothing.
The other thing to bear in mind is that the lack of street lighting can add to 'driver fatigue'. With nothing but dark motorway ahead of them motorists' eyes aren't drawn to anything in particular and dark surroundings have the potential to make someone feel tired.
The issues surrounding recent collisions between junctions 2 and 3, in the mornings, tend to focus on congestion and I am in no doubt that one of the main contributory factors in those crashes is the tendency for motorists to travel too close to the vehicle in front of them.
Stopping distances are there for a reason and, I'm afraid, no amount of safety reviews or audits could come up with an answer other than to better educate motorists and enforce instances where drivers simply don't leave enough of a gap between them and the vehicle in front.
Frustratingly, there are those who believe they'll get somewhere quicker if they're right up the back of the car in front, and refuse to let other motorists into their lane for fear it will add time to their journey. This is nothing short of downright selfishness and yet you rarely hear of anyone being reprimanded for tailgating.
Whether reverting to street lighting on the motorways will make a difference remains to be seen. But, ultimately, collisions happen more often than not when motorists fail to drive safely. And, sadly, only stricter enforcement of the law will tackle that particular problem.
