Charlie Hopkins and William Robinson
14 May 2024 · Coroner Anna Crawford · Surrey
A similar concern from this report was raised again 5 times later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. young new drivers causing collisions
“the fact that [the deceased] had only just passed his driving test contributed to the collision”
2. undetected airbag warning light faults
“significant safety fault with the VW Polo was not identified during the course of any of the annual MOTs it underwent”
3. undetected airbag warning light faults in services
“significant safety fault with the VW Polo was not picked up during many of the regular services that the car underwent”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.92 · high
This report
“As set out above, the court found that it was possible that the fact that [the deceased] had only just passed his driving test contributed to the collision.”
Later report
“Young drivers may be more likely to be involved in a collision with similar aged passengers in the car.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.92 · high
This report
“As set out above, the court found that it was possible that the fact that [the deceased] had only just passed his driving test contributed to the collision.”
Later report
“Currently there are no legal restrictions upon the licences of young and /or newly qualified drivers and the current vehicle licensing regime permits the carrying of young persons as passengers in circumstances such as these”
Identical hazardConfidence 0.92 · high
This report
“including by way of the introduction of restrictions on when they can drive and who they can carry as passengers.”
Later report
“There is currently ongoing public concern that inexperienced drivers are able to carry young passengers within the first six months of having passed their test.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.85 · high
This report
“As set out above, the court found that it was possible that the fact that [the deceased] had only just passed his driving test contributed to the collision.”
Later report
“The inquest noted that newly qualified drivers may carry multiple peer-age passengers immediately after passing their test.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.92 · high
This report
“As set out above, the court found that it was possible that the fact that [the deceased] had only just passed his driving test contributed to the collision.”
Later report
“I am concerned that when 17 year olds pass a driving test, they can drive on any road in the UK including motorways without any adult supervision.”
Responses
2024-0262-Department-for-Transport.pdf ↗· Department for Transport
Stated action
“We will be considering policies relating to young, new drivers during this development.”
Stated action
“We will consider including a visual inspection of the functioning of the airbag fault light when the vehicle is turned on in those measures.”
Stated action
“We will consider this but expect it to be prohibitively expensive to require every MOT centre to purchase any such piece of equipment, particularly as we believe each car manufacturer has its own diagnostic interface equipment that a garage would be required to have.”
Stated action
“In relation to servicing I encourage all drivers to get regular services to ensure their vehicle is kept in a roadworthy condition, as legally required.”
2024-0262-Response-from-DVSA.pdf ↗· Department for Transport
Stated action · 56 days
“the Department for Transport will be responding to this Regulation 28 Report on DVSA's behalf.”