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More weather warnings have hit the headlines as heavy snow forecasts are predicted across the UK, with areas in southeast England to be affected the worst, according to the BBC (source).
The Met Office has issued early warnings, with predictions that travel networks will be affected tomorrow (Friday). According to the report, forecasts are predicating up to 20cm of snow in areas in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London, and East Anglia – complete with gale force winds to cause drifts. As lovely and festive as the snow may be with just one week to go until Santa hits the skies, it’s a time where we are all going to have to be very careful out on the roads!
So what can we do to make sure we stay safe on the snow showered roads, and prevent any accidents form occurring?
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Drinking Coffee Whilst Drunk Does Not Sober You Up
Further to my recent articles on drink driving, according to research drinking coffee in an attempt to sober yourself up from the effects of alcohol is a complete illusion, the BBC has reported (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8403088.stm).
Research on mice has indicated that the drink may make you feel like you are sobering up and coming to your senses, but in actual fact is an illusion. The issue here is that people using the drink in order to sober up and subsequently falling under the false influence that they are OK, are more than likely not. The risk therefore of a person getting in to a vehicle thinking they are OK when they are not and causing an accident increases.
The research results showed the mice to be more alert and awake, but still found to be incompetent when navigating a maze following mixed doses of alcohol and caffeine.
Marshal’s Negligence Leads to Go Kart Tragedy
An 18 year old girl has tragically lost her life in a Go Karting accident, according to reports from Sky news (source) and the Mirror (source).
It is believed that Susan Cornwall’s scarf came loose and got wrapped up the engine of the kart as she raced on the Cambridgeshire Raceway circuit in Caxton. The pull of the scarf is sadly believed to have choked her, with paramedics noting severe neck injuries as they attended her unconscious at the scene.
Cambridgeshire Raceway company secretary Phil Meakins has reportedly informed the Daily Mail that a track marshal had allowed Susan and a group of teenagers to use the circuit after hours. The marshal, named as Andy Kilvin, manually turned off CCTV cameras after hours when he was expected to have locked the premises up, and allowed his girlfriend and five other teenagers to use the site. The marshal has been removed from his position, and the company is considering taking legal action against him. Police and the local council have launched a joint investigation.
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Fireworks Boss Manslaughter Verdict – Two Firemen Killed
The boss of a fireworks company has been found guilty of manslaughter following the deaths of two fire-fighters due to the dangerous storage of the explosive pyrotechnics, the BBC has reported (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8412747.stm).
Company owner Martin Winter, 52, was found to be grossly negligent in using the container which was prone to exploding should a fire break out. Martin has been convicted of manslaughter, and the jury are currently debating over his son Nathan Winter, 25, who could face the same conviction. Both have denied the charges brought against them.
The company itself, now named Alpha Fireworks Limited, has been found guilty of two counts of health and safety breaches with the prosecution team against Winter’s alleging he was well aware of the hazards in using the metal container for storage, and knew full well the company’s license did not authorise use of the container in question.
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A Bridge too Far – Roof Rips off Bus
“It was a miracle none of them was badly hurt or killed…” – this is the general consensus following the story of the bus roof that ripped off like the top of a tin can after trying to get under a low bridge, the Sun has reported (source).
The bus was full of young children, of which 17 age 9 to 10 year olds escaped with minor injuries and remarkably no one was seriously hurt. A witness has reportedly stated “it’s a good job they were only little kids – if they were taller it would have taken their heads off!”
It is reported there were 52 children and teachers on the bus in total, with 10 being taken to hospital and seven treated at the scene. Eye witnesses state there were children screaming, crying and some even bleeding. The group were on a day trip to the New Walk Museum in Leicester when the accident occurred.
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I have authored a couple of articles recently regarding drink driving and the devastating effects; something which is all the more evident during the festive season. So, here’s a little more on dangerous driving for you!
Mobile Phones
According to a BBC report (source) the figure for people using mobile phones behind the wheel of a vehicle has, interestingly and rather worryingly, increased since tougher penalties were imposed back in 2006. The figure comes from the Transport Research Laboratory which claims 2.6% of drivers used mobile phones whilst driving when the fine rose to £60 with the possibility of three points on the drivers licence in 2006, compared to the figure now which stands at 2.8%. OK, so nominally it’s a small increase; but it’s still an increase nonetheless…
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Defence Chiefs Squander Payouts to Injured War Heroes
I personally, and I am sure many of you reading this, have the utmost respect for our countries armed forces given the difficulty and danger in the jobs they face on a day to day basis and the conflicts they serve in. Despite the debate behind the wars currently being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is still important to (irrelevant of one’s agreement or disagreement to the wars) get behind our troops and support them as much as we can.
So it’s sad to hear when those in charge of our countries brave servicemen and women are in the news for squandering cash to save payouts!
According to the mirror.co.uk (source) it is reported that the Defence Chiefs spent a staggering £90,000 in trying to slash £56,000 in payouts to two wounded soldiers! According to the report, this sum includes massive £28,000 in barristers fees for two days work.
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Health and Safety for Products
All products must pass be safe for the consumer to use; if they are not, they are breaking health and safety regulations and are negligent for any accidents or suffering that occurs. So, what’s the recent news on this?
Go Go Hamsters; the must have toy for 3-10 year old this Christmas? Well, according to recent news, health and safety concerns have been raised regarding the material used in the manufacturing of these cute robotic critters that has sparked allegations that toy is potentially dangerous (source).
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Late Night Stroll Ends in Tragedy
I have authored several articles in the last couple of months with the subject of violent assaults and the often tragic and devastating consequences they can result in. It’s never nice to hear of a story of a violent and unprovoked assault in any circumstances, and in particular in one’s home city of Hull in an area that I myself have enjoyed the odd walk or two, at the marina near Hull’s famous ‘The Deep’ aquarium.
Hull Crown Court yesterday heard of the drink fuelled assault that ended in tragedy as two teenagers pleaded guilty to murder and robbery, the Daily Mail has reported (source).
In the early hours of 7th April 2009, 35 year old Simon Ash had gone for a late night stroll on the marina to clear his head when he was unfortunate enough to be sighted by two teenage thugs looking for trouble after a night of heavy drinking. The pair stalked Mr Ash who subsequently dialled 999 and informed local police he was being followed and chased by the teens, and told the operator “they are trying to kick my head in.”
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Russia in Mourning as Nightclub Blaze Claims Hundreds of Lives
A national day of mourning is taking place in Russia today after the death toll hits 112 following a blaze at the Lame Horse Nightclub in the city of Perm, Sky News (source) and the BBC have reported (source).
It is reported that around 130 people were admitted to hospital with serious burns and 80 victims were flown to Moscow St Petersburg and Chelyabinsk for medical treatment. Entertainment events and television programs have been cancelled with flags flying at half mast as Russia mourns the tragedy and pays its respects to the victims and the families of those involved.
People have gathered at the central morgue in Perm to lay flowers and light candles outside the venue the tragedy occurred at, and the first funerals have in the central cathedral in Perm with all day memorial services taking place.
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