PEDESTRIANS ARE being put at risk on the site of Tayside’s largest hospital by motorists who are over-eager to get home at the end of the day.

Receptionist Linda Cook has complained about the “plain stupid” drivers who rush to the main exit from Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital just after 5 pm and ignore the zebra crossing.

Hospital bosses are so concerned about “dangerous driving” on the site, they have called in the police and local authority roads and transport specialists for help to avoid serious accidents and are considering traffic calming measures.

Linda said that since passing her driving test 20 years ago she has been under the impression that when approaching a zebra crossing, the correct procedure was to slow down and check if anyone was waiting to cross, in which case the driver should stop to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

“It has become obvious to me that these regulations do not apply to motorists leaving Ninewells at 5 to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday,” said Linda.

“I have to say that mornings are all right—it is daylight and people have their sensible hats on. But when it comes to 5 pm and time to head home after a long day at work, pedestrians beware if trying to cross. You are putting your life in their hands.

“These people do not deserve to hold a licence. Personally, I think they are just plain stupid. I am talking about an entrance/exit to an extremely busy hospital, not the circuit at Brands Hatch.

“Too many times on my way home, I have had to step back rather quickly to avoid being knocked over on the crossing. What is wrong with these people? Would they not rather get home a few minutes late than be involved in injuring someone who is also just trying to get home?”

Site manager Brian Main said he fully supported what Linda had to say.

“As someone with responsibility for general site management, including traffic, I have serious concerns about examples of dangerous driving on a number of roads within the site,” said Mr Main.

“I have already taken steps to investigate what action we require to take to combat and control the increasing disregard of road safety on the hospital roads. I have established a group to look into the matter with representatives from NHS Tayside, Tayside Police traffic division, Scottish Ambulance Service and Dundee City Council roads and transport.

“We will be developing an action plan to deal with high-risk road areas.

“One of the things we will be looking at is using traffic calming measures and we are taking advice on this from our colleagues in Tayside Police and the city council roads/transport office.”

He added, “I would appeal to all drivers to consider the safety of others. Would it not be better to take some care now and avoid a serious accident rather than live with a regret?”