Street light switch off endangering lives, says AA

Six road deaths have been partly caused by councils switching off street lights to save money, according to the AA.

At least five pedestrians and a cyclist have been killed since 2009 because, according to accident investigators at inquests, drivers had little or no chance of avoiding the collisions on blacked-out roads with speed limits of 40mph or higher.

Since 2009, there have been at least six inquests into deaths on blacked-out roads, all where the speed limit was 40mph or more. In four, accident investigators said the drivers stood little or no chance of avoiding the collision.

For a car travelling at 40mph, the Highway Code gives a typical stopping distance of 36 metres – 12 to react, 24 to brake – or 120 feet. At 40mph, a car covers 59 feet per second.

“There is growing evidence that cost-savings from councils turning off street lights are being paid for with lives. In particular, inquests point to a particular danger on roads with speed limits of 40mph or higher,” says Edmund King, the AA’s president.

“Many of these inquests clear the drivers of blame, which means these tragic deaths are accidents waiting to happen. For that reason, drivers have no choice but to slow down and switch to full beam on faster town roads where late night street lighting used to make roads and streets safer places to travel. Previously, they may have preferred to drive on dipped beams to disturb residents less.

“With many more councils switching off their street lights for at least part of the night, the street-light blackout tragedy will just get worse. AA research shows that 12% of drivers (24% for 18-24 year olds) set off to or return from work in the small hours", continued King.

“At what point will the government take action or help councils to finance the switch to energy-saving street lights: 10, 15, 20 inquests later? Until then, the AA is advising its members to use full beam where councils have imposed a blackout, even in residential areas, except where they may dazzle other drivers, riders and pedestrians.”