A Lesson For All (Warning, Very Upsetting Case)

[Canary42]

This absolutely tragic case should be drilled into all boy racers (not just the teenage ones). Such a waste of life, and a permanent emotional scar for the parents. 

(Warning, a very upsetting case)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9jg9jrn93o     

 

[youngmafbog]

Sadly most of us think we are invincible at that age but luckily "There but for the Grace of God go I"

Terribly sad but I do think you shouldnt be able to carry passengers until you have at least 2 years driving experience under the age of 25.

[nicebloke1]

Sadly its a warning that will mostly go unheeded, but nevertheless you fo have to keep trying to get that message across, but again that message only deems to come into opperation when a case happens like this, it will be forgotton until the next time. The other problem that you will never tame is the new young driver, the thrill of passing your test and the independance that brings with maybe your very own car, everything else goes out the window, including safety. And i must admitt i was the same. The same until back in 1966 4 school mates all died in a completely crushed mini through speeding. The only thing that has changed to date is that a new driver can quickly lose their licence for speeding offences i believe. Not sure or know if the latter is having any affect?

[bhg481]

That stops youngsters sharing a car to work. Very unfair to penalise all youngsters because some of them are idiots.

[davebro3]

No doubt their families & friends will be badly affected but I don't find accidents such as this upsetting for me personally. Worse things do happen & are happening every day.

[DDIL]

Do we think this is a young man thing rather than a young person thing?

 

[nicebloke1]

Both^^

[DDIL]

I wonder what the stats are

 

[bhg481]

I think it probably is, DDIL, but not an ALL young man thing. My friend and I never drove like that, driving from Wiltshire to Lancashire and back every few weekends to see our girlfriend in the days of few motorways and in all seasons of the year.

[nicebloke1]

By what I've seen young girls tend to be more dangerous, they also have less experience of what a car can and cannot do, add texting to the menu BANG! i see more girls texting than boys especially at traffic light, plus making sure their hair is perfect before reaching their work place. :0(

[New Judge]

"The only thing that has changed to date is that a new driver can quickly lose their licence for speeding offences i believe. Not sure or know if the latter is having any affect?"

The "New Drivers' Act came in in 1995. Six or more points accumulated within two years of passing your first test (with points gained before passing that test counting towards the total) means the driver's licence is revoked. He can, however, immediately apply for a new licence and drive as a provisional licence holder as soon as he has it.

The Act has one major shortcoming in its drafting in my opinion. It only applies to drivers who have accumulated six or more points - but not to those who have been disqualified. So he could, for example, commit an excess alcohol offence, for which a disqualification is mandatory, but not have to undergo another test. It is always open to a court to order a re-test following any offence for which the driver is disqualified, though this rarely happens.

It certainly has some effect. Reverting to 'L' plates seriously damages a young driver's "street cred". There is no appeal against revocation under the New Drivers' Act. It is an administrative function carried out by the DVLA when they learn that the driver has reached six points. It is not a judicial decision over which a court can exercise discretion

This sometimes leads to strange situations where a young driver will appear in court asking the court to impose a short ban instead of points would would see his licence revoked. Magistrates are wise to this and such a request will usually fall on deaf ears as it would be circumventing the will of Parliament.  

[DDIL]

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-older-and-younger-driver-factsheets-2021/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-younger-driver-factsheet-2021

 

There are some interesting charts further down this study

[nicebloke1]

Interesting NJ thks. 1995 time does fly.

[bhg481]

Well, a 40 year-old man drivingthe wrong way down the M6 this morning caused a fatal crash, so should we ban all 40 year-olds as they're clearly not safe to let loose on the roads.

[nicebloke1]

No, but thats really not what this thread is about is it. As long as cars have been on the road, and  even when there were horse and carts there will be crap that happens. If we banned every 40 year old and every young driver because of one silly one. Now that would be silly dont you think.

[douglas9401]

A family was wiped out the other day on the M6 around Tebay services. A three lane motorway in the wide open with no distractions that I've ever noticed.

It can happen to anyone at any time.

[bhg481]

nicebloke - you clearly didn't spot the irony in my post. If the driver had been over 70 years old there would have been cries for older drivers to be banned/retested etc. It's the same with new drivers - any incident and we want all youngnew drivers severely restricted.

[vulcan42]

douglas, that crash on the M6 is the one where the 40 year old was driving in the wrong direction.

[douglas9401]

Aye.