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#1
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Comment: Abbey Road in London is famous for having the Beatles' last
studio album named after it. On the cover of the album is the iconic photograph showing the four Beatles striding across the pedestrian crossing outside the Abbey Road Studios. Many fans try to recreate this photograph by walking across the crossing. However, Wikipedia's entry on Abbey Road gives the following rather alarming information: "Dozens of people are involved in accidents each year re-enacting the iconic photo, including a number of deaths.[citation needed] Since 1969, there have been over a hundred deaths at the crossing (although many of these may not have been Beatles-enthusiasts, but merely passers-by).[citation needed]" Over one hundred deaths on a single pedestrain crossing in 40 years? This seems extremely unlikely. The type of crossing used is known in the UK as a 'zebra' crossing due to the black and white markings on the road and by law all traffic must stop when a pedestrian walks out into the road when using it. It will be visible from some distance due to the large orange flashing globes on tall metal poles standing on both sides of the crossing. The crossing will also be well illuminated at night. The crossing is also in a residential neighbourhood with a 30 mph limit. With over 100 deaths, knowing the safety conscious British Authorities this crossing would have surely been changed at some point (tourist attraction or not) to a pedestrian operated traffic light crossing or at least speed bumps or some other safety measure installed. Yet it remains exactly as it was in 1969. This number of deaths smells very fishy to me. - it averages 2.5 a year, far too high for the local council not to have removed it. How many deaths have there been on this crossing? |
#2
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A few days ago it was the 40th anniversary of the famous photograph being taken. There has been a lot of coverage on television about the photograph (and probably the papers as well) - but not a mention of any accidents. Local residents were interviewed. They mentioned how annoying it is with people recreating the photograph, but none mentioned anything about accidents. Britain's roads are the safest in the world and I am sure we would not allow a crossing that is dangerous. The vast majority of British motorists observe zebra crossing rules very strictly.
A television report on the anniversary did say that the street name plate has been removed because whenever it is replaced it is stolen soon after. Pop fans still cross Abbey Road (short BBC video) On the video a taxi driver says that 'One day someone will get mown down.' However, he did not mention that anyone has actually been killed on the crossing. A Day in the Life of Abbey Road - a slightly longer video report of the above This includes an interview with a lady from Westminster City Council and she mentions the problem of graffiti, but again nothing about any accidents. Street party for Abbey Road anniversary (BBC News video) Last edited by Andrew of Ware; 18 August 2009 at 11:10 AM. |
#3
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I would say it's probably safer than most other crossings. Most people driving round there would know about it anyway, and you're more likely to notice 4 people posing + someone with a camera then you are to see someone crossing the road normally.
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#4
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ETA: Just a quick glance at statistics reveals the UK being 'very' high in terms of accidents per mile travelled, but very low in terms of fatalities per capita. Figures for 2004. Last edited by Jay Tea; 18 August 2009 at 11:47 AM. |
#5
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Bang, Bang, Maxwell's silver Hummer came down upon their heads...
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#6
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And little did they know how many followers they'd get.
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#8
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So in fact, according to that table, we are safest among the listed countries as far as deaths per distance travelled is concerned, and fourth safest in terms of deaths per capita. Last edited by Richard W; 18 August 2009 at 02:20 PM. |
#9
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I'm trying to dig it up again now, as it also confirmed our grisly accident rate, graveyard cyclist stats and some other grim reading. |
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#11
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Here's a web cam pointing at the crossing (in the other direction).
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#12
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Four persons posing on the Zebra crossing would indeed be very safe.
I think anyone standing or crouching in the road not on the crossing to take the photograph would be in peril. Which is why I've passed up some good photos (of different things. The middle of the road was the best angle, but no thanks.) As a driver, approaching a zebra crossing, I temporarily divert a majority of the focus of my concentration to the crossing, and the possibility that there is someone using it or intending to. In that, I might not notice someone standing or crouching in the middle of the road a few tens of feet before the crossing. Whether anyone has been killed in the process of imitating the album cover, let alone a hundred I have no idea. Last edited by Eddylizard; 19 August 2009 at 02:50 PM. |
#13
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"Because you won't see me." |
#14
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![]() #No-one will be watching us...# SCREECH! SPLAT! ETA Too late to edit my first post, but I will add that when I take a photo, all my senses are concentrated on getting the moment right, and I certainly wouldn't notice a car coming up behind me. Last edited by Eddylizard; 19 August 2009 at 03:41 PM. |
#15
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I have to go with Various Artists "Here Comes the Sun: A Reggae Tribute to the Beatles". Mostly cause they painted the stripes on the road. Which is awesome.
I'm surprised no one got their geek on with the Various Artists "The Exotic Beatles - Part 3". I mean, isn't that a Dalek pretending he's John Lennon? |
#16
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At the time of posting there are some folk in white robes doing the crossing. (ETA: repeatedly!) Also ETA that if there is a heightened risk of pedestrian injury at the crossing it islikely to be among those standing in the middle of the road with their back to oncoming traffic so that they can photograph their friends doing the recreation... Last edited by Embra; 15 September 2009 at 09:45 AM. |
#17
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Or if you're concerned with your safety..... Photoshop!! My daughter dancing on Abbey road. ![]() ![]() |
#18
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Photoshopped! Phew! I thought you had identical quadruplets for a moment. Well done to the driver of that car who is waiting patiently as your daughter waltzes across the crossing.
Incidentally, one of the reports I linked to earlier says that why people's photographs never look quite the same as the Beatles' original is that the photographer took the photo standing on a step ladder |
#19
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