Police are looking for a driver who ploughed into a line of traffic cones, leading to a pile-up on the A38 in Plymouth.
The motorist was caught on camera striking the traffic cone barrier at road works near Marsh Mills. Their actions resulted in a three-vehicle collision further back on the carriageway - fortunately no-one was seriously hurt.
Police have now released the footage in an attempt to trace the driver who left the scene without calling for help.
The footage from just after 9am on Thursday, January 14, shows the driver colliding with the line of traffic cones on the Exeter-bound carriageway sending several cones into the air.
In a complete fluke the scattered cones then land in a perfect line across the outside lane, sealing it off to other motorists.
Sergeant Gary Williamson, of Plymouth Safer Roads Support Unit, said: “There is no doubt that the poor driving and careless actions of this driver led to this collision.
“Oncoming motorists had no warning that the lane three contraflow was closed off and had to take evasive action. The confusion has then created perfect conditions for the collision further back.
“Not only does the driver then stop on the carriageway, causing a further hazard, but then leaves the scene without the presence of mind to call police about the danger they have left behind.
“We wouldn’t expect the person to get out and move the cones as this is not safe but in the very least they should have pulled over and called police. Their actions were incredibly negligent and showed no regard for the safety of other drivers.”
Drivers heading towards the road works are forced to brake as stationary drivers attempt to rejoin traffic from the closed lane.
Just moments later the footage shows three cars – a Suzuki Grand Vitara, a Transit van and a Mini - in collision with each other within the braking traffic in lane two.
The female driver of the Mini, a woman in her 20s, sustained a minor facial injury in the collision which happened around 9.15am.
After hitting the cones the motorist is seen to stop on the carriageway before leaving the scene without alerting police or calling for any help. Now police are urging the driver of the silver or grey car to come forward and identify themselves to police.
Williamson continued: “It is extremely lucky that this collision was minor, although it has caused inevitable distress to the motorists involved. This could have easily caused an extremely serious, or even fatal, accident.
“We are asking the driver of this car to come forward and speak to us. If anyone has any information which can lead to the identity of this driver we would also urge them to contact police.”
Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk quoting log number 124 of 14/01/16.
CCTV courtesy of South West Highways.
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Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
Robberg - 17/02/2016 11:07
The clown who hit the cones didn't cause the accident. That driver caused the hazard, but the accident was caused by people driving too closely and not paying attention.