THE father of a man who was seriously injured in an accident on a "death trap" East Yorkshire road has called for drastic new safety measures.

James Lister, 29, was rushed to York Hospital after his motorbike collided with a van on the A1079, near Wilberfoss.

His dad, George, 62, of Pocklington, said James's accident was typical of the A1079 and the road is so congested with fast-moving traffic that motorists trying to pull out of junctions at Wilberfoss and Pocklington risked their lives by dashing into small gaps in the traffic.

Mr Lister said some stretches of the 60mph road should be made 30mph zones. He also called for roundabouts at the Wilberfoss and Pocklington junctions to break up the traffic.

James spent almost a week in hospital, being treated for a broken collar bone, two chipped vertebrae, and internal and external bruising.

Mr Lister said he had feared his son was dead at the time of the accident.

"It was a life or death situation. The road had to be closed for hours," he said.

"That road needs sorting out and whatever the authorities have done so far really hasn't improved anything.

"At certain times of the day, people who live in Wilberfoss and Pocklington can't get out on to the road; the traffic is so busy the junctions won't allow the traffic to slow down.

"People are seeing a gap in the traffic and then trying to dive out into it. People are taking their lives in their hands by risking the exit from the side."

Mr Lister, a former driving instructor, said he would like see roundabouts at major junctions.

He said: "The only way I see that road being improved is to put restrictions at the Wilberfoss and Pocklington junctions; two or three roundabouts so the line of traffic is broken.

"It would make people realise when they leave the A64 roundabout they can't continue driving at 60mph down the road."

"We need something to slow the traffic down, and if we don't then these accidents are going to carry on."

A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which is responsible for maintaining the road, said the potential for roundabouts at both Pocklington and Wilberfoss had been discussed with appropriate ward members and parish/town councils.

"Unfortunately, there is no potential for submitting supplementary bids for such schemes at the moment," he said.

"However, the council will continue to monitor the situation.

"We have carried out a number of improvements on the A1079, including new road surface, markings and signs and reductions in speed limits where the road passes through villages."

Updated: 10:25 Wednesday, April 06, 2005