I have read a report that the car was crushed! BBC TV I think.
However, regarding not being informed:
ALL new drivers, after passing the driving test, are informed of the six point rule affecting new drivers by the examiner.
Whilst appreciating that the excitement after having passed could lead to a mental blackout, they ARE told of their position as new drivers for the next two years.
Sympathy for the young lady but bad press reporting with little or no knowledge is what makes headlines!
Figures quoted above that 100,000 NEW drivers MAY be driving illegally come straight from the D.S.A. spin P.R. team!
Note the carefully chosen word "MAY"! How about "It MAY NOT"?
Get a copy of their leaflet
Quote:
" Changing the way we learn to drive"
and closely examine the figures quoted therein:
3,200 people are killed annually on our roads. 3,200
More than three hundred people were killed in accidents caused by young drivers in 2006. 320 i.e. 10%
one filth of all car deaths involve newly qualified drivers. 640 i.e. 20%
Note the use of "young" & "newly qualified"!
In the one fifth of all car deaths the 10% caused by young drivers is included. So:
car deaths caused by young drivers (17 - 25 years) is: 10% (320)
car deaths caused by newly qualified drivers over 25 years is: 10% (320)
car deaths caused by people over 25 years not newly qualified is: 80% (2,560)
Based on the above I would have to say that newly qualified and young drivers are better qualified, more up to date on their driving education and skills, and more intensely tested (theory, hazard perception plus the full test), than the majority of drivers on the roads today.
However little or no PR is given to this situation because our youngsters are already blamed for all of problems of this country. They are an emotive issue & fair game. highly loaded for insurance etc. and as parents this causes great concern.
Well the figure of 3,200 deaths ANNUALLY gives no leeway for increases or decreases - annually means every year!
The " more than 300 deaths caused by young drivers" is for a specific year, 2006, is cherry picking, and probably because it is the highest available.
The fact the press could give this such highlight and the responses from the general public shows to me that most of today's drivers, having passed the test in the good old days, are unaware of today's testing standard requirements otherwise the reporters and readers would know that EVERY newly qualified driver IS informed and to balance the articles & TV they would have checked with any driving examiner before publishing.