A petition demanding improvements to road safety in Dawlish has been signed by more than 200 people in less than 24 hours following a fatal road traffic collision last week.
Police have launched an appeal for witnesses following the incident involving a blue Peugeot and a mobility scooter on the A379 Exeter Road in Dawlish last Wednesday (November 13) .
A local woman in her 80s was taken to Derriford Hospital and has since passed away as a result of the injuries she sustained in the collision.
The driver of the car was not injured.
Exeter Road was closed for three hours while investigations were carried out. Schools on Elm Grove Road, near the scene of the accident, had to make alternative arrangements with parents to collect children and school buses were diverted to Sandy Lane as there was no access to the road.
Sadly, last week’s collision is the latest of many in the area around Exeter Road and Elm Grove Road. Dawlish councillor and Teignbridge Council chair Rosie Dawson has launched the petition demanding that Devon County Council urgently reviews the road safety issues in the area.
‘As a community we have seen so many accidents and near misses on these roads,’ Rosie said. ‘Councillors have previously requested that Devon County Council urgently reviews the safety issues and listens to the community but very little was done by the Council and the accidents continue,’ she added.
Suggestions include replacing the zebra crossings on Exeter Road with traffic lights or reviewing the current placement of the crossings as many people complain about struggling to see pedestrians that are attempting to cross.
The current zebra crossings ‘are ineffective’ Rosie noted. ‘People aren’t stopping.’
Last year, several roads in Dawlish, including Elm Grove, were put forward for 20mph speed limits. However, the proposals were dropped after they proved unpopular with the public.
Rosie estimates that over 1,100 children and young people travel through the Exeter Road and Elm Grove area, often on foot, to get to school and college. The roads are also busy with commuters.
In just seven months, police have recorded six collisions on or around Dawlish College on Elm Grove Road, three of which involved pedestrians under the age of 18 and two of which were classed as ‘serious’.
In July, a 12-year-old boy sustained serious injuries and was taken to Bristol Children’s Hospital following a road traffic incident that took place on Elm Grove Road outside Dawlish College.
‘After another serious accident this week, we have to ask, yet again, for Devon County Council to act quickly to avoid further injuries,’ Rosie demanded. ‘We want an urgent safety review and allocation of funds thereafter to significantly improve safety without delay, using proven, preventative measures.’
Laura Breakwell, a supporter of Rosie’s petition, added: ‘The situation must change and this can only be achieved by proactive changes to traffic management around the schools and main roads. There are too many accidents and near misses to ignore any further.’