A pedestrian has been hit by a car on the main road into Newport this morning (Friday) resulting in a road closure and serious rush hour disruption.
Emergency services are currently on scene at The Racecourse, at Binfield Corner, where medics are tending to a person who has come into contact with a BMW 3-Series.
Island Echo understands the pedestrian had just alighted from a bus when the collision occurred at around 07:45.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has a paramedic crew, a rapid response paramedic and an operational commander on scene – but the pedestrian’s injuries are not thought to be serious.
The road has been closed by Police at Racecourse Roundabout meaning all inbound traffic to Newport is being diverted via Staplers Road.
Motorists heading out of Newport on Fairlee Road can continue to do so, albeit with delays.
UPDATE @ 08:25 – Racecourse/Fairlee Road has now reopened in both directions.
The casualty – a young female – is being taken to St Mary’s Hospital having sustained bruising.
Emergency teams have now stood down from the incident, the scene has been cleared and the BMW driver has been let on her way.
And as everyone knows that has used that road, it is dangerous for anyone trying to cross.
The island in the middle can barely accommodate a bike, let alone anyone with children. That needs to be a lighted crossing regardless of whether the football stadium is built or not!
Anyone standing attempting to cross that road with vehicles approaching at a legal 50mph needs guts….but needs their guts not to be all over someone’s bonnet.
Completely agree Arthur, also the fact that a core-cycle route from Newport to East Cowes (one of the islands main ports) forces cyclists to use this dangerous bit of road is madness. What’s more is this is the same stretch of road they expect users of the council-backed scooters to use at 12mph, I’m very surprised there hasn’t been a worse incident yet.
Council/island roads need to seriously look at this whole area as it is not safe for people walking or cycling.
I thought there was a cycle path alongside the road, or a shared pedestrian/cyclepath? Never cycled there but I thought there was a cycle path so cyclists don’t need to use the road.
Yes there is a cycle path along the whole stretch up to the college but surprised how many don’t use it as they must get a kick out of holding up traffic especially at Binfield. The cycle path was only upgraded in the last 18 months and in better condition than the road.
You’re absolutely right, there needs to be a proper crossing at that spot, I have previously crossed there and found it very risky.
I was on the bus which that poor schoolgirl was trying to catch, after getting off the bus coming from East Cowes and saw her attempt to cross. She was clearly trying not to miss her connection.
She was hit by a car with an alert, undistracted driver, so she escaped with just a bruised head from the impact. Just a second slower reaction from the driver, would almost certainly have been tragic.
But will the powers that be ever bother to install a crossing there ?
Or will it take a fatality to make them act ?
Don’t they know roads are for cars, not people.
Not since highway code update. Pedestrians now have right of way over cars.
Pedestrians do not have the right of way. The new rules just high light that they are significantly more vulnerable. The new rules is guidance to drivers to make the roads safer for pedestrians. If you knew how to drive you would know that when the highway code says ‘should’ it is advice that is not backed by a law but can be used against you in a case if you do not follow. And that when it uses the word ‘must’ then it is backed by a law and you can be taken to court for not doing so. Like the rule that you must not park on the pavement.
That is not correct.
Rule 145 : You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.
Rule 244: You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.
So pavement parking is only actually illegal in London.
Granted that pavement parkers will have driven on the pavement to get there, they have the defence that they pushed the car onto the pavement (not illegal), so they have to actually be caught doing it to be prosecuted.
Obvious you have not read the highway code book properly.. but must is must !! It does state one ‘ should ‘ give way.. though… so using your own brain, should you just run over a pedestrian…. common sense.. which very few drivers have…
Only when the vehicle is turning into a road where the pedestrian is already crossing. Statements like yours are dangerous.
Don’t talk nonsense. As if pedestrians have the right of way over cars on the road..
They always did.. just no one bothered to enforce it.. and obvious someone was not paying attention when doing driving lessons…
Curious considering the number of motorists who don’t realise that pavements are for pedestrians.
Good point. Stop, look and listen but remember to double check for electric vehicles. Put the shopping in my boot last week, and moved to take the trolly back straight into the path of adjacent Skoda Leaf. So quiet I didn’t hear it start or pull out.
Vehicles drivers should always be wary of someone coming around the front of the bus, no matter where it stops… especially school children, they run off too fast… They should have an exit only doors at rear of buses, similar to the old buses… that way motorists would be able to see more clearly… but motorists need to slow down when going past a stopped bus….and keep eyes open…
Back in the day, we were taught never to cross the road from right in front of, or behind a vehicle. The trouble with today’s society is, if something happens to you, it’ll be someone else’s fault. Stop look, listen, will always stand you in good stead.
More bad driving on the IW
Yep, more bad driving Phil
Doesn’t matter how fast, or slow, someone is driving, DON’T WALK OUT INTO THE ROAD WHEN GETTING OFF A BUS! The poor driver (the victim) was obviously paying attention and going slowly, thank heavens. Which is why the pedestrian is still alive and only bruised.
Every week loads of accidents.
And I’m still not allowed to ride my escooter.
Car crashes and stupid drivers.
Can’t we just ban cars.
It would make sense lol.
So, when teaching children to cross the road has much changed? Look left and right and left again and if nothing is coming it’s safe to cross. Do we really need to state the obvious? Don’t step into the road in front of passing traffic whilst looking down at your phone or wearing headphones. If not wearing headphones, take into account that where previously you assumed because it was quiet it was to cross because electric cars are so quiet. Lastly, in this nanny state, you take responsibility for your own safety. Be a grown up.
When these things happen through accident or intention (for example suicide) those who witness it can be scarred for life. The bus (or train) driver, the passengers and other witnesses can struggle with the experience and it and can change their Iives. Seriously people, have we lost all empathy?
Bring back Green Cross Code.
unfortunately they don’t teach the green cross code anymore. look left, look right, look left again! And if there’s a bus obstructing your view don’t cross until it’s gone
Why don’t they put a cycle path on the right going into newport loads of room so people and cyclelist don’t need to cross hope that person is not hurt bad
I wonder if it is the new road traffic law about letting pedestrians, cyclists having right of way at crossings? I noticed a number of people just cross at pedestrian crossings even the traffic lighted ones – which are exempt from the new law – without looking the rule being at non signalled crossings you are meant to stop and allow them to cross, but typical of many just to step out without checking first. A check by the public needs to be made before just stepping out, even more so if they have just lighted off a bus, or there are large vehicles – and if a lighted pedestrian crossing they need to wait until the green man says its safe.