Anthony John PAINE · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 12th April 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Anthony John PAINE, a 75 year old male. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 7 January 2025 and my conclusion as to the death was one of Road Traffic Collision.

At approximately 22:45 hours on Friday 24th March 2023, a fatal road traffic collision occurred on the A361 North Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire. A red Nissan Pixo collided with a pedestrian, Anthony Paine on the A361 North Bar Street, Banbury. Mr. Paine was crossing the carriageway on a pedestrian crossing from right to left as viewed by the driver of the Nissan. The pedestrian crossing was controlled by traffic signals. Mr Paine did not wait to use the pedestrian controlled lights having considered the that the road was clear. He was struck by the vehicle and sadly died at the scene.

The speed limit on the A361 North Bar Street at the location of the collision is 30 mph. There was a concern expressed at the Inquest that this speed limit may be too high, given the characteristics of the road and the volume of pedestrian traffic in the area.

The A361 at this location is a long, straight, single carriageway with one lane in each direction. Travelling southbound, the pedestrian crossing is approached from a gradual rise in the road from Banbury Cross Roundabout, some 150 meters away. There is in the road obscures the view of the pedestrian crossing to approaching vehicles.

There are a number of pubs and restaurants on both sides of the road and a number of pedestrians in the area late into the evening.

The Forensic Collision Investigator concluded that in the short window of time in which Mr. Paine was likely visible to the driver, they failed to see him. The Investigator’s evidence was that even if the driver had seen Mr. Paine, there would have been insufficient time to react and avoid the collision. However, the Investigator’s evidence also stated that if the vehicle had been traveling at a slower speed, this may have provided the driver with sufficient time to react and either avoid the collision or reduce the severity of the impact.

In the opinion of the Forensic Collision Investigator, the speed of the driver’s vehicle was 32.6 mph ± 3.6 mph and was a contributing factor to the severity of the collision and that, as a general point, the slower the vehicle is travelling the less severe the effects of any impact.

It was further noted that other nearby town/city centres (eg Oxford) have introduced 20 mph speed limits on roads in the city centre.