logo
'My son died a month after passing driving test'

'My son died a month after passing driving test'

Yahoo14-05-2025
A mother whose son died in a car crash just a month after passing his driving test has called for tighter rules for new motorists.
Will Radford passed his test three months after his 17th birthday and died on 10 June last year, after losing control of his car and colliding with an oncoming vehicle.
His mother Jane Radford now wants an extension to the learner driver period, a ban on new drivers aged 17-19 from carrying "peer-aged" passengers for six months and for motorway and rural road experience to be included in lessons.
The Department for Transport said it recognises the increased risks faced by young people on the roads but it is "not considering graduated" driving licences.
Will was giving a friend a lift home from college when he lost control as he approached a right hand bend on the A281 Brighton Road, in Horsham.
His car spun and crossed the carriageway before being hit by a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.
Will was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. He was airlifted to St George's Hospital, London, but died three days later.
Ms Radford, from Horsham, said passing his test just three months after his birthday "felt too fast".
"He wasn't experienced in driving on rural roads" she said, "and he was carrying a passenger, chatting to his passenger, and I feel his death could have been prevented."
Ms Radford said her son "was a lovely, big-hearted boy, he was kind and popular and intelligent".
She added: "He was the kind of son you could be very proud of. He was also an organ donor and his organs went to four other people."
Ms Radford said graduated driving licences would mean new, young drivers avoid distractions and the temptation to "show off".
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who is also the UK's most senior roads policing officer, supports graduated driving licences and is planning to meet with Ms Radford.
"I am determined that policing and our partners will do all we can to encourage safer behaviours among young and novice drivers," she said.
Research by the AA estimates graduated driving licences could save 58 lives each year and avoid at least 260 serious injuries.
In a statement, the Department for Transport said: "Every death on the roads is a tragedy.
"We are determined to tackle this, including through our THINK! campaign, which has a focus on men aged 17-24 as they are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than other drivers."
Limitations on young new drivers carrying passengers in the first few months after they pass their test already exist in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Families of young crash victims attend debate
'No apology from PC three years after my son's death'
Sussex Police
Department for Transport
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Man said 'get the police' after pulling out 'gun' at Cardiff Central railway station
Man said 'get the police' after pulling out 'gun' at Cardiff Central railway station

Yahoo

time12 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Man said 'get the police' after pulling out 'gun' at Cardiff Central railway station

An erratic and paranoid man took out an imitation firearm and pointed it at the sky at a busy railway station before he was heard saying: "You better get the police before I harm someone." When he was arrested by police at his home, a further imitation weapon was discovered. Benjamin Stockham, 45, approached two security guards on the concourse of Cardiff Central railway station on July 3 last year in a distressed state. He told the two men he "needed protection" and asked them to phone the police. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard the guards believed the defendant was intoxicated as a result of his "erratic and paranoid" manner. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. READ MORE: City centre road taped off after 'disorder' leaves four people in hospital READ MORE: Welsh city centre named as the worst in the UK - but locals disagree He told the men a county lines drug gang had taken over his home and that he and his partner needed to escape to a place of safety. Prosecutor Abigail Jackson said Stockham was taken to a private room and the police were called, but when he was put on the phone the defendant became aggressive and left the room. He was then seen walking back onto the station concourse on CCTV, and was heard saying: "If they hurt my girlfriend I'm going to kill them." At that stage, Stockham took out the firearm which had the appearance of a "semi-automatic pistol" from the waistband of his trousers. The defendant was then seen to cock the gun and point it to the sky. A homeless person nearby heard Stockham say: "You better get the police before I harm someone, I have a gun." He was then seen to walk in the direction of the Principality Stadium but when the police arrived at the scene they were unable to locate him. Stockham, of West Lee, Riverside, Cardiff, was arrested at his home in the early hours of the morning. A search of the house resulted in the discovery of two imitation firearms, which were both found to be BB guns, but it could not be determined which weapon had been taken to the station. The defendant later pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing imitation firearms with intent to cause fear of violence. The court heard he has 10 previous convictions, for offences including common assault and threatening to destroy or damage property. In mitigation, Nick Gedge said his client had been trying to seek help for problems surrounding drugs and alcohol, and has attempted to rebuild his life. Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson described the offences as "disturbing behaviour". Stockham was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He was also made subject to a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice

Outrage at ‘sickening' anti-feminist flyers left on cars at train station
Outrage at ‘sickening' anti-feminist flyers left on cars at train station

Yahoo

time12 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Outrage at ‘sickening' anti-feminist flyers left on cars at train station

OUTRAGE has been sparked after anti-feminist flyers have been left on cars parked at a train station in Stourbridge. A woman, who did not wish to be named, recalled returning to her car that she parked at Stourbridge Junction Railway Station's overspill car park on Wednesday (July 30), to find a leaflet on the windscreen that read 'just say no to feminism, justice for men and boys.' The woman, from Stourport, has been returning from a trip to Birmingham with her 15-year-old daughter and was left feeling 'sick and worried' about the nature of the flyers. She said: 'We found flyers under each windscreen, including our own, and we turned one over to see that it was a call to end feminism and to get justice for men and boys. 'I felt sick and am worried as to what this person meant by 'justice'.' In response to the flyers, a West Midlands Railway spokesperson said: 'We have been made aware of reports of unsolicited flyering occurring in the station car park at Stourbridge Junction. 'We have a zero-tolerance approach to discriminatory speech and behaviour and will monitor the situation closely.' A spokesperson for Transport for West Midlands added: 'No unauthorised printed material is allowed at our park and ride sites – including flyers placed on cars. 'Staff will stop anyone they see distributing unauthorised material, and persistent offenders could be prosecuted.' The leaflets included the name and email address of the person responsible for distributing them, and they were contacted for comment. The flyers referenced an organisation called Justice for Men and Boys (J4MB) – a controversial group, that was previously considered a political party until April 2023, that is based on the belief that feminism is 'toxic' and 'relentlessly seeks the further privileging of women and girls, regardless of the consequences', at the disadvantage to men. Although he was not involved with the distribution of the flyers, Mike Buchanan, the leader of J4MB, said he was 'delighted' someone posted them. He rejected that the message on the flyers could in any way be seen as threatening or concerning, calling such claims 'fatuous, pathetic and hysterical.' When asked for a comment, Mr Buchanan said: 'Feminism is a demonstrably evil ideology and people should reject it.' The mum who spotted the flyer on her car said she is 'horrified' at the thought of how many people have been exposed to and bought into the group's message since the leaflets were distributed. She continued: 'I am sure I am not the only woman who has seen these leaflets and felt sickened and worried by them.'

Jury says Tesla must pay $329 million for a deadly crash involving Autopilot
Jury says Tesla must pay $329 million for a deadly crash involving Autopilot

Yahoo

time12 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Jury says Tesla must pay $329 million for a deadly crash involving Autopilot

MIAMI (AP) — A Miami jury ordered Elon Musk's car company on Friday to pay $329 million to victims of a deadly crash involving its Autopilot driver assist technology, opening the door to other costly lawsuits and striking a blow to Tesla's reputation for safety. The federal jury held that Tesla bore significant responsibility because its technology failed and that not all the blame can be put on a reckless driver, even one who admitted he was distracted by his cell phone before hitting a young couple out gazing at the stars. The decision comes as Musk seeks to convince Americans his cars are safe enough to drive on their own as he plans to roll out a driverless taxi service in several cities in the coming months. The decision ends a four-year long case remarkable not just in its outcome but that it even made it to trial. Many similar cases against Tesla have been dismissed and, when that didn't happen, settled by the company to avoid the spotlight of a trial. Bernard Condon And David Fischer, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store