The past week has been marked by a disturbing series of pedestrian accidents, with five individuals struck by vehicles—one fatally and four sustaining serious injuries. These incidents highlight an urgent and ongoing road safety crisis in the region.
In July 2024, local authorities declared a road safety emergency after a rise in fatal and severe collisions. Responding to public concern and advocacy, the council launched a £10 million action plan including lowered speed limits of 20mph and 30mph, installation of speed cameras, and tougher enforcement against reckless driving.
Despite these measures, nearly 450 days on, tragic events continue to occur. One recent fatality involved a woman in her 60s, struck near the Wernley Pub on Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, in the early hours of October 29. Despite medical efforts at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing death by dangerous driving and is currently on bail.
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Later that day, another pedestrian suffered serious injuries after being hit near City Road and Sandon Road in Bearwood. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police.
The following day, a man in his 30s sustained serious head injuries at the junction of Throne Road and Oldbury Road in Rowley Regis but is expected to make a substantial recovery. Again, the driver stayed and assisted police.
On November 1, Kings Heath High Street partially closed after a woman was struck by a bus, resulting in shoulder and arm injuries. That same evening, a man was badly injured near Sir Harry’s Road on Bristol Road, suffering serious head trauma. The driver, as in other incidents, stayed on site.
In all cases, police are urgently seeking witnesses and dashcam footage to support investigations.