Road ghost sightings

[Dr B]

I have a case with an interesting collection of road-ghost sightings. I have my own view on these (and no - its not ghosts!) but i would be interested in the thoughts and suggestions of others.

The apparition has been sighted many times over the last 40 years and i have direct eye-witness testimony for many of these sightings (around 5 - 7).

They have always happened at night (in the headlights) - with one exception which was at dusk (nearly dark but still in headlights). Descriptions are similar in that motorists describe either colliding with a girl, narrowly missing her, or seeing a distressed girl on the side of the road - some have gone to help her to find she is not there. So its always female.

However, she has been seen at various points in a 1000 metre section of the road - so not always the same place. Most witnesses knew nothing about the hautning at the time of seeing her and none of the witnesses were aware of the reputation on this stretch of road or indeed knew each other.

Two sightings were collective - where both people in the car reputedly saw the same thing on two separate occasions.

any initial thoughts? (Of course i know its difficult without knowing all the details - but lets just keep it to reasonable speculations)

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

It is hard to speculate without a visual idea of the area but if reflections of headlights are too obvious, then maybe something to do with the geography of the area perhaps, like light coming from a nearby building being reflected into the drivers sight.

Possibly more likely though, are streetlights or some other feature on the side of the road, at an interval where there is some sort of resonant frequency in line with driver's perception depending on the speed they are going at?

[median]

I have a case with an interesting collection of road-ghost sightings. I have my own view on these (and no - its not ghosts!) but i would be interested in the thoughts and suggestions of others.

The apparition has been sighted many times over the last 40 years and i have direct eye-witness testimony for many of these sightings (around 5 – 7).

0.04% of the total no. of days eh. Still....

They have always happened at night (in the headlights) - with one exception which was at dusk (nearly dark but still in headlights). Descriptions are similar in that motorists describe either colliding with a girl, narrowly missing her, or seeing a distressed girl on the side of the road - some have gone to help her to find she is not there. So its always female.

Question, what is the percentage of male to female perceivers?

However, she has been seen at various points in a 1000 metre section of the road - so not always the same place. Most witnesses knew nothing about the hautning at the time of seeing her and none of the witnesses were aware of the reputation on this stretch of road or indeed knew each other.

Any particular outstanding geographical features along this road; reflective surfaces etc. Apart from being sighted in reduced light are the sightings seasonal?

[Dr B]

no street lights

no real house lights in the specific areas - its very rural

3 men 4 women

road is twisty (a little and in parts some short steep hills)

it is a 'spooky' road with many over-hagging trees - but i dont think its an optical effect as it has happened in both directions, and in different places.

i think the spooky context is playing a role - but why it manufests in this way is a mystery

[median]

it is a 'spooky' road with many over-hagging trees

Define 'spooky'...go on..I dare you

[median]

Have there been reports whilst people have been on foot etc?

[Dr B]

it makes you want to shit your pants when you are on your own....

[Mulder]

...it is a 'spooky' road with many over-hagging trees - but i dont think its an optical effect as it has happened in both directions, and in different places ...

How many in each direction? How many just saw something and how many 'nearly collided'? How much detail in the descriptions of the figure? Any colours in the figure other than black and white?

[Dr B]

How many in each direction?

latest research suggests sightings in both directions (roughly equal)- though there was an original bias frorn south - travelling traffic (no more the case).

How many just saw something and how many 'nearly collided'?

one chap drove straight into her and stated that she 'came up onto the bonnet' - described a female in a white dress

Another couple swerved to avoid her as she was in the middle of the road - and if they hadn't - would have driven straight into her. - female white dress and some form of cape / shawel

two people saw her looking very distressed at the side of the road, they pulled over, went back to help and see if she was ok - there was no one there. - white dress with an overcoat or shawel - brown in colour

another chap saw her walking down the road at an unsual time in period dress, and in some difficulty (white dress / cap / some form of shawl) and thought that the local historic site was having a fancy dress evening (they were not).

How much detail in the descriptions of the figure? Any colours in the figure other than black and white?

described as female, white dress, often looking distressed (hunched over), slow moving, wearing a shawel or coat - the coat is always described as brown or black.