Residents can help locate accident blackspots, according to safety experts

Steve Baker, Wales' regional manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), said more consultation with the public would help identify key danger sites.

It follows the case of Sandra Williams, from Blackwood in south Wales, who is suing her local authority in an attempt to get safety measures installed at her home.

Mrs Williams, whose house is located on a sharp bend, started legal action after two accidents outside her house, one of which saw a car crash through her front wall.

"All I want is a few bollards put back and I have been forced to get legal advice to do it," she said.

"I fear for my safety, my husband's and my children."

People get put on a list which may be looked at in several years time - they are not happy with that Steve Baker, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

She said the stress of the accidents was having a serious effect on her.

"For quite a number of weeks, I couldn't sleep here [at her home] at all - I was staying with my son."

Rospa's Steve Baker said that the road outside Mrs Williams' home was "particularly nasty".

He said people in the community who see these accidents happening "on a regular basis" should be listened to.

"They know what goes on, whereas those of us in road safety perhaps only see it on odd occasions, and are not fully aware of the implications," he said.

"I think there is so much pressure on local authorities it is difficult for them to meet the needs of people as quickly as they would like to.

"People get put on a list which may be looked at in several years time - they are not happy with that - they are fearful for their life tomorrow, not in two years time.

I understand there are young children living in the street - surely safety should come before cost Kevin Etheridge, independent councillor

"Perhaps there needs to be a little more consultation with the wider public - the people who live in the particular area where the concern is."

A spokeswoman for Caerphilly council said the council receives a large number of requests for traffic calming measures, and budgets are limited so the worst spots are targeted.

However, the council did promise to monitor the spot outside Mrs Williams' house.

Independent councillor for Blackwood, Kevin Etheridge, said that was not good enough.

"I understand there are young children living in the street, there are elderly people in council bungalows opposite - surely safety should come before cost," he said.