Driver, 83, has run-in with bollards

Mike Keegan

July 25, 2007

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AN 83-YEAR-OLD man is the latest driver to have a run-in with Manchester's bollards.

The pensioner, from Blackley, was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary suffering from chest pains after his crash with a telescopic bollard on Cross Street. His Vauxhall Corsa was badly damaged.

Retractable barriers were installed in June last year at points across the city centre.

They restrict access and retract when sensors detect the approach of authorised vehicles such as buses and ambulances.

A number of vehicles have been damaged as the bollards rise - and it is believed some of them may have been trying to tailgate authorised vehicles.

Bollard crashes

Video clips of some of the bollard crashes became a massive hit on the M.E.N. website (you can watch them above).

In the four years before the bollards were introduced, 31 people were injured on Cross Street, making it the most dangerous in the city for pedestrians. But in the year after, no pedestrians were hurt.

Sam Broughton was in a nearby shop when he heard a `massive bang' in the latest incident. "I saw the car in a mess," he said, "and the elderly-looking man behind the wheel looked really shaken."

Mr Broughton, 25, said bollard crashes happened 'almost every month' and added: "Some drivers say they can't see them, but you can see warning signs as far back as Albert Square."

Articles

Always mind the bollards!

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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Leo B (25/07/2007 at 07:58)

Did I see something in the press yesterday about the Government taking a closer look at older drivers? Seems rather timely.....

Simon B, www.manchestertolltax.com (25/07/2007 at 08:04)

whoops.

trolleyed, Manchester (25/07/2007 at 08:30)

One might consider that a 83 year may require retesting if he is not capable of reading the numerous road signs...

Anthony B, COLWYN BAY (25/07/2007 at 09:50)

Serves him right!

Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (25/07/2007 at 09:55)

Despite all the publicity given by the MEN about the dangers that these retractable barriers are to motorists who try to circumvent them, we have some foolish motorists (as in this case) who still try to do so. Without wanting to sound ageist, perhaps this particular 83 year motorist should now consider using public transport which would be a lot safer for him and also for other road users.

Mike S, Manchester (25/07/2007 at 10:18)

It's a shame this man's been injured, but the warning signs are clear at least a hundred yeards before the bollards and if he didn't spot them, then perhaps he shouldn't be behind the wheel of a car.

Paul, Manchester (25/07/2007 at 11:05)

Time to take his license away I think! I'm sorry, but if he isn't aware of a big shiny bollard, then he shouldn't be on the roads.

And looking at the damage, I suspect he wasn't driving cautiously, as most sensible people do when driving around city centres full of people.

Ricky Clarkson (25/07/2007 at 12:26)

Looking at the photograph of the car, it looks to have been a sunny day. I don't think it would be unreasonable, if blinded by the sun, to not see a grey bollard on a grey road.

Of course there are signs, but in city centres there are signs everywhere. Perhaps the answer would be retractable stingers, those devices that puncture tyres slowly; used by police, or making the road completely pedestrianised.

There's only one bus that uses it, and its route is largely a waste of time, it goes around back streets near Granada TV, etc. ., so speed is not exactly important for it.

Without having barriers retractable, there would be no need to have them so small - drivers don't tend to drive into permanent barriers so often. Emergency services could still get past, the pavements are big enough.

The road just before the bollards is not even painted 'bus lane red'. The council, clearly in dire need of money, judging by the fact that they charge for parking a car (unless you're part of the council), could get rid of the barriers and instead charge everyone who goes through £100.

pm (25/07/2007 at 12:27)

Surely it cannot be too difficult to put a bollard in that stops extending when it meets something like a car

On the other hand at 83 he might be ready for some kind of assessment.

The Catcher, In the Rye (25/07/2007 at 13:00)

Get the old duffers off the road - that would ease the imaginary congestion we are 'suffering'.

ace, manchester (25/07/2007 at 13:01)

Judging by the amount of damage on the car he must have been travelling at some speed?Time for him to hang up his keys.

J Sheldon, UK (25/07/2007 at 14:17)

The signage for these bollards is excellent. They are much needed and make areas of the City Centre far safer (for pedestrians). Tail gating with these and other devices, works in many areas. Normally the ones involving paid exit situations and where the devices need to work are not so tolerant.

Without the signage, those bollards could be the equivalent of a small child. There are enough bent railings and posts around to show that these bollards are struck as part of the general carelessness method of driving some adopt or grow into.

Ms D, Manchester (25/07/2007 at 14:26)

Catcher in the Rye - I'm not supporting drivers of this age but we should put the minimum age up to 21 while we're at it. That will help the imaginary congestion and cut accident rates at the same time !!!!

The Catcher, In the Rye (25/07/2007 at 15:35)

Ms D, a brilliant idea. Let's make it 40!

busman_dave, manchester (25/07/2007 at 15:59)

maybe everybody should resit their tests to see if they're fit to hold a licence at 45, then every 5 years like bus drivers do.

The Catcher, In the Rye (25/07/2007 at 16:21)

I'd hardly hold up bus drivers as paragons of driving skill.

holly123 (25/07/2007 at 16:45)

has anyone seen the video clips? the silver car is exactly why the barriers are up. Serves them right. idiots!!!!!!1

ace, manchester (25/07/2007 at 17:13)

busman_dave, manchester
You mean like the bus driver on ashton old road today just pulled out without looking or indicating and nerly hit a car? then slagged the car driver off .it wasnt the car drivers fault..Really good professional driving

busman_dave, manchester (25/07/2007 at 18:11)

trust you to put your voice of reason in ace. i cannot comment for other bus drivers ace, but i'm sure you can, knowing the profession inside out, like you do other jobs

marc (25/07/2007 at 18:18)

this old fella clearly wasn't birched in public enough as a child. if he had been maybe he would have learned to BEHAVE himself.

ace, manchester (25/07/2007 at 18:55)

busman_dave, manchester
It was the way you have tried to say that busdrivers are better because they are retested every five years? Ask most people who drive what they think about bus drivers (you wont like what you hear)

busman_dave, manchester (25/07/2007 at 21:13)

i never said bus drivers were better than anybody else.(YOU SAID THEY WERE ACE, NOT ME). i suggested that at 45, all licence holders should be retested, LIKE BUS DRIVERS ARE, then every 5 years after that. where does that say bus drivers are better than other drivers? it doesn't.

Joe (25/07/2007 at 21:41)

whats all this got to do with bus drivers. the car wasnt a bus was it?He wasn't a bus driver was he? you dont get 84 year old bus drivers.??? dohhhhhhhh stupid people!!

metty, manchester (25/07/2007 at 22:36)

Bus man dave dont give ace the satisfaction! that guy is extremely anti-public transport! god knows what hes gonna do when the congestion charge comes in and there are even more buses and trams for him to dodge!....... ace for once in your sad life why dont you comment on the story instead of bringing up irrelevant cack, im so glad i dont know you personally , id have far more interesting conversations with a BOLLARD!.
As for the story i personally think the bollards do a good job, there are "highway code" signs giving an order not to drive through there except for access etc! so wether your 17 or 83 if you hit one its YOUR FAULT!

The Rover (26/07/2007 at 08:36)

There is an old saying, 'the more times you do something the more you are likely to make a mistake'. Why do drivers like bus drivers, taxi drivers, drivers who drive 30,000 miles a year think they are good drivers. I have yet to see a good bus driver or taxi driver and I have been driving for 30+ years

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