Vehicle Crashes - Weekend December 1st & 2nd, 2007
Ramsey Road Junction, next to school at crossing. Two separate vehicles seem to have lost control immediately prior to the footpath to the school (and Farm Close). There is no indication of heavy braking on the road surface so I'm assuming both vehicles had ABS (Anti locking braking).
Too much weight thrown onto the front wheels during (late?) braking can result on a poor road surface (wet/ice/mud) the inability to steer. This should be less so on ABS equipped vehicles. Though the laws of physics (vehicle dynamics) will not stop loss of control if circumstances outweigh ABS/Stability control.
Having the junction shaped as it is will lead to loss of stability and braking failure due to the need to turn to the right under heavy braking. See pictures below. This is *one* reason why some sport cars manufactures have their engines in the back, and also why low weight on high performance cars is such a priority (better steering under braking).
I have informed Cambridgeshire County Council over my concerns regarding this dangerous junction for a number of years. Nothing other than IGNORING my concerns has been done. (I've placed my driving qualifications after my name for obvious reasons, such as I may know something of what I talk about!)
Keith Sisman RoSPA (DIP.), IAM, PDI, RoADA AdvT, NVQ2 (ppt)
Pictures below shows two vehicles have crashed!
Picture below shows the deviation on junction, and no signs of heavy braking on the road.
Picture below shows the long straight run, suggesting to me braking was too late and too heavy to steer. Momentum taking the vehicle forwards rather than round the corner due to steering failure due to bad driving.
Lets be grateful no children or adults were using the footpath, next time luck may NOT play such an important role!