IT is, of course, too early to speculate on the cause of the road crash that led to the death of a 33-year-old father-of-two and the serious injury of a 61-year-old, believed to be his father.

But the scene of that accident has long been of concern to those who take safe and sensible driving seriously.

The accident happened in Thamesdown Drive, close to the Orbital shopping centre. This road links the north of Swindon to the west, is two, sometimes three lanes wide on either carriageway, and is punctuated by several sets of traffic lights.

It is a potentially fast stretch of road and one can understand how motorists, on seeing a set of lights are about to turn red, will be tempted to accelerate to avoid having to come to a stop.

The road bisects two built up residential districts and local people have been concerned for some time about dangerous driving along Thamesdown Drive.

Their views are echoed by the police, who are well aware of that road’s reputation – they have been particularly proactive there in targetting speeding drivers, and those who drive through red lights.

In two days of action last week more than 30 cautions were issued to drivers.

“All concerns raised by the public will be listened to and taken seriously,” said a police spokesman, and we don’t doubt that for one minute.

The police can only do so much – the main focus of responsibility is on the motorists who must drive within the limits of the law at all times.

High profile campaigns are needed to improve safety on Thamesdown Drive – it’s just a pity it didn’t do enough on this occasion to prevent the weekend’s fatality.