TRAGEDY - Castlemaine

[JB]

Federal or state Tom?

In Vic this law was passed years ago, but it's inforcement did not last long. There are various 'kids' in skylines, SS commodores, HSV's even. Don't mind it but they need to learn how to drive first. his has been happening for a few years now.

Would be good to see some inforcement of this.

[Blown BA]

Very sad indeed

[turbotom]

  JB said:

Would be good to see some inforcement of this.

patience, grasshopper.

This tragic story could very well be the catalyst to highlight the ineffectiveness of the application of the law, and I believe it will be addressed.

[turb06]

I doubt speed and the power of the car had anything to do with this particular accident, but I do aggree that power restrictions should be placed on L/P platers.

Cheap ass high power imports are becoming too affordable these days and all the young guys that buy them upgrade the sh*t out of them, and lets face it, not many 17yo will remain calm enough to control a 300kw skyline GTS-T when it snaps into power oversteer. And you always see them screaming off at the lights in heavy traffic.

I would also condemn the parents for letting a L/Plater drive a family and a family guest around in bad conditions, that's very irresponsible. You have to feel for the family of the exchange student and the poor bugger coming the other way.

[aniken]

So, learners can only drive in dry conditions, and only in certain types of cars? Isn't the point of learning to actually learn? To drive in a range of conditions that they will one day, inevitably, encounter when they have their full licence? Isn't it better that they learn to drive properly in such conditions while an experienced driver is in the car with them, rather than wait until some years down the track when they are all on their own and have no clue what to do?

What we really need is more training in a proper driving school situation, with closed roads, skid pads etc.. where they can't really hurt themselves or, more importantly, anyone else.

[turbotom]

  aniken said:

So, learners can only drive in dry conditions, and only in certain types of cars? Isn't the point of learning to actually learn? To drive in a range of conditions that they will one day, inevitably, encounter when they have their full licence? Isn't it better that they learn to drive properly in such conditions while an experienced driver is in the car with them, rather than wait until some years down the track when they are all on their own and have no clue what to do?

What we really need is more training in a proper driving school situation, with closed roads, skid pads etc.. where they can't really hurt themselves or, more importantly, anyone else.

Sorry aniken, but I don't agree with you there.

The problem highlighted in this case is that there were innocent victims who should NOT have been put at risk. The parent is as much at fault here, as the inexperienced driver.

Who knows, maybe the parent was asleep in the passenger seat at the time?

I don't think we will ever know the true situation. Lapse of concentration most likely. Hopefully, the L plater didn't lapse into a day dream (or was it night time?) and pictured the video game she was playing all day with her friends?????

Like I said. It's a tragedy. And could very well have been prevented if the responsible driver (parent) had had enough sense to prevent the young driver from driving in adverse conditions, in an extremely powerful car, with so many passengers.

Not a responsible action at all.

[Mondie]

  turbotom said:

Like I said.  It's a tragedy. And could very well have been prevented if the responsible driver (parent) had had enough sense to prevent the young driver from driving in adverse conditions, in an extremely powerful car, with so many passengers.

Not a responsible action at all.

l agree 100%. Learners should not have passengers, too much chance of distraction. ego outdoing ability etc. Should be no restrictions on when they drive though.

This is a terrible waste of life. l cant help sparing a thought for the rescue crews, what they were faced with must have been truly horrendous.

[Blown BA]

  Mondie said:

l agree 100%. Learners should not have passengers, too much chance of distraction. ego outdoing ability etc.

I agree too with Mondie, learner kids these days need to be fully aware of their surrounds in driving and not to be distracted.

Mind you we can't speculate on what happened out there and blame who was wrong too.

[Buf-Phoon]

I believe that first and foremost that a comprehensive educational program in conjunction with a robust theoretical test that is broader than just coverage of road rules prior to getting Ls would certainly lift awareness of things that can and do happen in a myriad of driving conditions.

This could be reinforced with a practical controlled environment driving course, which again would demonstrate just how easily things can go pear shaped. It would then be time to take to the roads with a suitable instructor to experience real life situations.

Again there needs to be more rigour in the way licences are granted , after all it is a privelage not a right to hold a drivers licence.

Once on Ps there should certainly be constraints on passenger numbers and vehicle power. Roadworthiness and legality on some of the death traps these

kids are driving also need looking at

I know this is slightly off topic but probably relevant

My 2c

[Guest anycolouraslongas]

It was very tragic and you have to feel for all involved including those rescue workers. I think it will take a whole range of areas like well thoughtout legislation (not just knee-jerk government crap done for votes) by motoring experts, better driver education and more powers given to police to take action without the all the civil rights bs. Just my opinion anyway.