Concerns raised 3 Lack of guidance on signage following application of thin surface treatments View source Failure to adapt vehicle speeds to the early-life properties of thin surface treatments View source Unpredictable vehicle behaviour from reduced or changing friction during the early life of thin surface treatments View source
Responses linked to these concerns
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AI-generated summary
Paul David RANSOM · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Paul David Ransom died on 24 May 2023 after losing control of his motorcycle on the A272 and colliding with a lorry. The road had received a thin surface treatment less than six hours earlier, and the slippery surface caused or substantially contributed to the collision; concerns were raised about reduced and unpredictable friction during the treatment’s early life, particularly for motorcycles, without guidance requiring warning signage.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Road Surface Treatments Association; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of guidance on signage following application of thin surface treatments
Wider context from the report “The resurfacing that had been carried out was an asphalt preservation treatment known as a “thin surface treatment” wherein a bituminous solution is cold sprayed onto the surface, overlaid with a silicate grit. This is a commonly used method. I heard evidence that in the initial period after laying thin surface treatment has a particular property (“early life effects”) in dry conditions the level of friction available can be akin to that of a wet road. There is no guidance that signage be provided. There is also the potential for unpredictable vehicle behaviour, particularly at lower speeds or when road surface temperatures are high, by reason of a change in the level of friction available to a vehicle during a steering manoeuvre or braking. This may have a greater effect on motorcycles.
The newly applied surface looks like an ordinary tarmac road albeit pristine.
There has been research into accident rates following application of thin surface treatments. The research had the effect of allaying concerns but I was informed that the research may not have been able to look specifically at motorcycle accidents, and further informed that the issue of signage has been the subject of discussion in at least some highways authorities . Thin surface treatments are to be distinguished from surface dressing wherein aggregates are applied, following which loose chipping warning signs are usually erected and a reduced speed limit applied for the days following application.
Following thin surface treatment the drivers of vehicles, including motorcycles are likely to assume that in dry conditions the road surface is going to have the same properties as any established dry asphalt road surface.
I am concerned that where the road is, for example, downhill and/or twisting and/or with limited sight lines it may be a particular problem if speeds are not adapted for the early life properties of thin surface treatments: particularly in the case of motorcycles.
I recommend review of actions to be taken for the safety of road users, particularly motorcycles, following application of thin surface treatments, during the early life phase following thin surface treatment.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Road Surface Treatments Association; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to adapt vehicle speeds to the early-life properties of thin surface treatments
Wider context from the report “The resurfacing that had been carried out was an asphalt preservation treatment known as a “thin surface treatment” wherein a bituminous solution is cold sprayed onto the surface, overlaid with a silicate grit. This is a commonly used method. I heard evidence that in the initial period after laying thin surface treatment has a particular property (“early life effects”) in dry conditions the level of friction available can be akin to that of a wet road. There is no guidance that signage be provided. There is also the potential for unpredictable vehicle behaviour, particularly at lower speeds or when road surface temperatures are high, by reason of a change in the level of friction available to a vehicle during a steering manoeuvre or braking. This may have a greater effect on motorcycles.
The newly applied surface looks like an ordinary tarmac road albeit pristine.
There has been research into accident rates following application of thin surface treatments. The research had the effect of allaying concerns but I was informed that the research may not have been able to look specifically at motorcycle accidents, and further informed that the issue of signage has been the subject of discussion in at least some highways authorities. Thin surface treatments are to be distinguished from surface dressing wherein aggregates are applied, following which loose chipping warning signs are usually erected and a reduced speed limit applied for the days following application.
Following thin surface treatment the drivers of vehicles, including motorcycles are likely to assume that in dry conditions the road surface is going to have the same properties as any established dry asphalt road surface.
I am concerned that where the road is, for example, downhill and/or twisting and/or with limited sight lines it may be a particular problem if speeds are not adapted for the early life properties of thin surface treatments: particularly in the case of motorcycles.
I recommend review of actions to be taken for the safety of road users, particularly motorcycles, following application of thin surface treatments, during the early life phase following thin surface treatment.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Road Surface Treatments Association; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Unpredictable vehicle behaviour from reduced or changing friction during the early life of thin surface treatments
Wider context from the report “The resurfacing that had been carried out was an asphalt preservation treatment known as a “thin surface treatment” wherein a bituminous solution is cold sprayed onto the surface, overlaid with a silicate grit. This is a commonly used method. I heard evidence that in the initial period after laying thin surface treatment has a particular property (“early life effects”) in dry conditions the level of friction available can be akin to that of a wet road. There is no guidance that signage be provided. There is also the potential for unpredictable vehicle behaviour, particularly at lower speeds or when road surface temperatures are high, by reason of a change in the level of friction available to a vehicle during a steering manoeuvre or braking. This may have a greater effect on motorcycles.
The newly applied surface looks like an ordinary tarmac road albeit pristine.
There has been research into accident rates following application of thin surface treatments. The research had the effect of allaying concerns but I was informed that the research may not have been able to look specifically at motorcycle accidents, and further informed that the issue of signage has been the subject of discussion in at least some highways authorities. Thin surface treatments are to be distinguished from surface dressing wherein aggregates are applied, following which loose chipping warning signs are usually erected and a reduced speed limit applied for the days following application.
Following thin surface treatment the drivers of vehicles, including motorcycles are likely to assume that in dry conditions the road surface is going to have the same properties as any established dry asphalt road surface.
I am concerned that where the road is, for example, downhill and/or twisting and/or with limited sight lines it may be a particular problem if speeds are not adapted for the early life properties of thin surface treatments: particularly in the case of motorcycles.
I recommend review of actions to be taken for the safety of road users, particularly motorcycles, following application of thin surface treatments, during the early life phase following thin surface treatment.
” Open source report
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review the specifications, codes of practice and application processes for asphalt preservation systems with specialist members.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RSTA and its supplier and contracting specialist member representatives held a meeting to review the Specification, Codes of Practice and processes associated with the application of preservation systems.” Source location Response from Road Surface Treatments Association
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Meet National Highways to discuss the Coroner’s concerns about asphalt preservation systems in the revised specification documents.
Verbatim wording from the response “We are due to meet National Highways to discuss the newly revised specification documents, which will be published in late September/early October.” Source location Response from Road Surface Treatments Association
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Site-specific surveys and risk assessments address gradients, bends, sight lines and any required mitigation, including warning signage.
Verbatim wording from the response “A site-specific survey and risk assessment is completed for all sites prior to treatment, whereby any additional risk factors and mitigation measures that may be required, including that of any signage, are identified.” Source location Response from Road Surface Treatments Association
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Post-treatment skid resistance was above required investigatory levels, contrary to witnesses’ claims that the road was slippery.
Verbatim wording from the response “The site was closed following the collision and Police conducted testing of skid resistance during the closure as part of their collision investigation. Therefore without any vehicle actions, the surface properties would be very similar to that at the time of the collision.” Source location Response from Road Surface Treatments Association
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Independent testing and accreditation ensure restored skid resistance, so asphalt preservation treatments do not require post-treatment signage.
Verbatim wording from the response “Currently, there is no requirement for post-treatment signage on sites treated with asphalt preservation.” Source location Response from Road Surface Treatments Association
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations