Accident claims fears for motorway light switch-offRSS Feed
Fear have been raised over potential traffic accidents and accident claims after the Highways Agency announced a stretch of motorway would have its lights turned off late at night.
The quango, which is responsible for administering Britain's motorways, announced that a stretch of the M6 in Lancashire would become the seventh site where lights will be switched off between midnight and five in the morning.
Highways Agency area performance manager for south Lancashire Andy Withington explained the thinking behind the move.
"This is the seventh site in England and we expect it to work as successfully as everywhere else – achieving up to a 40 per cent saving in carbon emissions and energy use as well as giving local communities reduced light pollution of the night sky," he said.
Neil Greig, from the IAM Motoring Trust, told the Daily Telegraph that the group had some initial safety concerns about turning off the lights.
He added, however, that there had not been an increase in traffic accidents at the other sites where the scheme is in operation.
Statistics recently released showed that some UK roads, particularly in Scotland and Wales, are enjoying one of the most accident-free periods since records began.
Accident claims advice from Serious Law
Posted by M E Dixon
Firm fined after man loses fingertip in accident at work
Man suffers broken bone after arm pierced by steel rods
New employees 'most at risk of accident at work'
Visit our most popular resouces >click here
FAQ's
How we help
Case studies
Firm fined after man loses fingertip in accident at work
Man suffers broken bone after arm pierced by steel rods
New employees 'most at risk of accident at work'
Accident at work death sees construction firm prosecuted
Broken bone leads to accident claim
