one look at the Form 215 and the TAFs, and a bit of low-level route planning would probably have saved 5 lives.
alphanumeric, I'm with you all the way here.
I don't think a change in the VFR criteria will really change anything.
This needs to be tackled at the training end of things. Under EASA it's mandatory that Threat and Error Management is taught and practised at all levels of training and operation.
Within the fixed wing ab initio field I find there is a paucity of training with respect to
how to check and interpret the weather information and
then make a considered decision as to whether it's prudent to launch and which route options to consider.
Whilst TAFs are part of the big picture they are specific to a location whereas the F215 gives the big picture.