– Some times I walk with my heart in my throat when I see how people drive here, says Stein Erik Eriksen. He lives on Toftøy in Øygarden, and went for a walk in the vicinity when the fatal accident happened on Tuesday afternoon. It is still unclear what is the cause of the accident. He was about 300 meters from the accident, when he saw many cars slowing down. – When I passed the accident, I saw that someone was holding on to the resuscitation of a human being who was lying there, says Eriksen. Many almost closes He has been bidding here for about six years. At that time, it has our many near-hatches and what he calls «raw driving». – There are many who do not fit. They pull too hard on the gas, and like to drive past. And that in front of the intersection, says Eriksen. Eriksen thinks 60-zone should be required, in addition to other safety measures. – One should set up car protection all the way, it is missing, he says. COLLECTED: A 12-year-old boy lost his life on Tuesday after he was hit by a car. The local population has asked for a speed limit to be reduced, but has been refused. Photo: Benjamin Dyrdal / news – Have been waiting for this There is an 80-zone on the stretch and only partial guardrail. From the bus pocket, passengers must cross the road to the housing field. But there are no pedestrian crossings. The local population has wanted a 60-zone along the stretch, and welfare associations have worked to reduce the speed limit over the years. Patrick Jesella lives just like the road, and has for several years fought for a safer road. He tells news that the process with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has been heavy, and that at times it has been like talking to a wall. Neighbor Henning Øverås has been bidding along the road section for 20 years. – It’s a shame to say it, but we have almost been waiting for this. It is such an ugly ride, and it is such a hopeless location at this bus stop here, he says. He believes that many homes have been built in Øygarden, but that the infrastructure is in place. – You have to run across the road. It is difficult for children who can not think as strategically and logically as adults, he says. CONCERN: Neighbor Henning Øverås is concerned about safety along the road. He has missed a transition field at the bus stop. It is difficult for children who can not think as strategically and logically as adults, he says. Photo: Cato Heldal Kristensen / news Meinte dwellings low screen Three years ago, several private individuals asked the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to consider changing the speed limit on the section to zone 60, but were refused. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration believed that the road lay outside densely populated areas, and that nearby dwellings, kindergartens and schools were a screen from the road. At the same time, they emphasized that it is the driver of the vehicle who must adapt speed according to city, driver and traffic conditions. “At the present time, we do not find that there is a basis for reducing the speed limit on this stretch. We will follow the situation along this stretch and make new assessments if we find a basis for this “, it says in the reply letter. Department director Tone Oppedal says that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration will look at the case again. – We will go in and look at what assessments were made at the time. And see if we should do something different, she says. FLOWERS: Many people have laid down flowers after a boy lost his life. Photo: Cato Heldal Kristensen / news Can not build the transition field Vestland county municipality owns the road, but it is the Norwegian Public Roads Administration that makes assessments of speed limits on county roads. Department leader Dina Lefdal in Vestland County Municipality says that they can not build pedestrian crossings in the 80-zone. She emphasizes that it is not just a matter of building a pedestrian crossing. Among other things, demands are made that enough people must need the pedestrian crossing. – Pedestrian crossings are also not a safety measure. If you want to get motorists to respect a pedestrian crossing, there must be some activity along the road.
ttn-69
– Walks with heart in throat – news Vestland
