Post by derek on Oct 29, 2012 10:34:04 GMT
Dragons Teeth Nice But Deadly!
26th October 2012
“Dragon Teeth” refers to a type of stone wall which is typical in Northern Ireland.
The part of these walls which give them their “Dragon Teeth” name and appearance are their tops which have large angular stones vertically cemented in place.
At Right To Ride we think the idea is to make these walls look rustic, fitting in as part of the natural surroundings of “old” rural Northern Ireland, nice but deadly.
On the Ards Peninsula one these “Dragon Tooth” walls has just been constructed at Ballyhalbert as part of upgrading sea defences and the other on the Strangford Lough side, again as part of upgrading sea defences.
Although some of the teeth of the walls are round and inoffensive (as much as a stone wall can be inoffensive), the majority are predominately jagged and they pose a potential risk for riders who may hit them.
With no footpath between these two walls and the edge of the road, these walls are not set back from the road and would be the first impact in the case of a crash, for riders and also for other vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
It could be said that there is little risk of riders impacting these walls however we know of one case were a fatality occurred.
This case was included in the Right To Ride, Northern Ireland Motorcycle Fatality Report 2012, which is an In depth Study Of 39 Motorcycle Collisions In Northern Ireland between 2004 and 2010, in Which 41 Motorcyclists Were Fatally Injured
Of the n.39 cases, there were n.12 cases (30.8%) in which a motorcyclist impacted against road infrastructure. In one of these cases, the wall had “dragon teeth” which caused the injuries to the motorcyclist.
Two mopeds were involved, although the evidence is unable to determine with absolute certainty, one of the mopeds may have collided with the other and caused the moped and rider to deflect and hit a nearby wall.
There doesn't appear to be any onus on private land owners or the government agencies to ensure that road structures such as these walls are “safe” for motorcyclists or other road users.
However at Right To Ride we believe that the authorities need to take a step back, have a good look at these walls and the potential risk to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Perhaps the Roads Service and other departments involved in building or re-building these walls and specifically the features such as Dragon Teeth, need to take a look at the consequences of not including vulnerable road users in the mind set of design and delivery that permit structures such as these Dragon Teeth walls.
It is apparent from the photographs included, that there is no set rule or guideline as to the type of stones used, nor we presume has any analysis of the risk of the type of stones used been carried out.
What You Can Do!
Do you know of other examples of these “Dragon Teeth” walls.
Send us a picture and a location and we can add these to the gallery.
Remember your own safety: If stopping to look or take pictures, please park in a safe and secure manner.
Do not put yourself in any danger.
Do not stop or hinder the normal flow of traffic.
Read the article and view pictures at Right To Ride - www.righttoride.co.uk/2012/10/26/dragons-teeth-nice-but-deadly/
Issued by
Trevor Baird
26th October 2012
“Dragon Teeth” refers to a type of stone wall which is typical in Northern Ireland.
The part of these walls which give them their “Dragon Teeth” name and appearance are their tops which have large angular stones vertically cemented in place.
At Right To Ride we think the idea is to make these walls look rustic, fitting in as part of the natural surroundings of “old” rural Northern Ireland, nice but deadly.
On the Ards Peninsula one these “Dragon Tooth” walls has just been constructed at Ballyhalbert as part of upgrading sea defences and the other on the Strangford Lough side, again as part of upgrading sea defences.
Although some of the teeth of the walls are round and inoffensive (as much as a stone wall can be inoffensive), the majority are predominately jagged and they pose a potential risk for riders who may hit them.
With no footpath between these two walls and the edge of the road, these walls are not set back from the road and would be the first impact in the case of a crash, for riders and also for other vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
It could be said that there is little risk of riders impacting these walls however we know of one case were a fatality occurred.
This case was included in the Right To Ride, Northern Ireland Motorcycle Fatality Report 2012, which is an In depth Study Of 39 Motorcycle Collisions In Northern Ireland between 2004 and 2010, in Which 41 Motorcyclists Were Fatally Injured
Of the n.39 cases, there were n.12 cases (30.8%) in which a motorcyclist impacted against road infrastructure. In one of these cases, the wall had “dragon teeth” which caused the injuries to the motorcyclist.
Two mopeds were involved, although the evidence is unable to determine with absolute certainty, one of the mopeds may have collided with the other and caused the moped and rider to deflect and hit a nearby wall.
There doesn't appear to be any onus on private land owners or the government agencies to ensure that road structures such as these walls are “safe” for motorcyclists or other road users.
However at Right To Ride we believe that the authorities need to take a step back, have a good look at these walls and the potential risk to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Perhaps the Roads Service and other departments involved in building or re-building these walls and specifically the features such as Dragon Teeth, need to take a look at the consequences of not including vulnerable road users in the mind set of design and delivery that permit structures such as these Dragon Teeth walls.
It is apparent from the photographs included, that there is no set rule or guideline as to the type of stones used, nor we presume has any analysis of the risk of the type of stones used been carried out.
What You Can Do!
Do you know of other examples of these “Dragon Teeth” walls.
Send us a picture and a location and we can add these to the gallery.
Remember your own safety: If stopping to look or take pictures, please park in a safe and secure manner.
Do not put yourself in any danger.
Do not stop or hinder the normal flow of traffic.
Read the article and view pictures at Right To Ride - www.righttoride.co.uk/2012/10/26/dragons-teeth-nice-but-deadly/
Issued by
Trevor Baird