Should young people be banned from driving high performance cars?

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:35 pm

US teenagers die in horror M5 crash

January 31 2008

Five teenagers were killed when the brand-new 500bhp BMW M5 they were travelling in left the road and crashed into a tree at Greystone Airport, Florida.

According to local news sources, the car skidded at the end of the runway, went airborne off the 85-foot high ramp and flew 200ft through the air. It came to rest against a tree, broke in half and burst into flames, killing all five occupants instantly.

The day before the accident, the car's driver Joshua Ammirato posted a message on the M5Board.com forum saying: "The problem is when I'm going pedal to the metal pushing 140 and upshifting, there tends to be thud noise with the gear change."

He went on to say: "Let me say I am beginner when it comes to high performance cars as I am only 18 so take it easy on me." One poster replied: "It's just disturbing to know, if you're for real, that an 18-year-old who is asking these questions about a 500bhp car is driving the same streets I am. I don't have anything against young guys driving nice cars, but an 18-year-old behind the wheel of an M5 is what accidents are made of."

The accident is believed to have taken place about 12 hours after these posts, at 3:30am on January 27, at the Jumbolair private flying estate where John Travolta lives. No other cars, nor alcohol or drugs, were believed to have played a part in the accident.

Such a shame...5 lives lost, maybe if we were more responsible and didnt allow these kids to get behind such powerful machines we could save someones life.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:01 pm

Well I think most folks cannot afford a brand new BMW M5 for themselves to drive, let alone one for their kids. But teenagers can do stupid stuff and get themselves hurt or killed in any kind of vehicle.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:18 pm

Oh this is a bad subject for me!!!!:-5:-5:-5

My son only drives sports cars...well HE did...until he wrecked them or they broke down....

I don't know how they would go about banning them, but it sounds good to me!

Yes, I'm an old biddy!!:-6

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:22 pm

Chezzie;768754 wrote: Such a shame...5 lives lost, maybe if we were more responsible and didnt allow these kids to get behind such powerful machines we could save someones life.
WE??!? Maybe if mummy & daddy would keep their wallets in their pockets they could save their kids' lives.

grh · Post by **grh** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:26 pm

Accountable;768799 wrote: WE??!? Maybe if mummy & daddy would keep their wallets in their pockets they could save their kids' lives.

I know someone who passed their old one on to their kid rather then trade it in for their new model. The kid was complaining to me once because the ornament thingy kept getting stolen at school...:wah:

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:28 pm

Accountable;768799 wrote: WE??!? Maybe if mummy & daddy would keep their wallets in their pockets they could save their kids' lives.

"we" meant as the royal we acc.....stop nit picking or ill kidnap you and smother your ass in love bites:D:D:D

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:37 pm

Chezzie;768808 wrote: "we" meant as the royal we acc.....stop nit picking or ill kidnap you and smother your ass in love bites:D:D:D
:wah: But I know what you mean. I'm just not willing to take parental responsibility away from parents.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:38 pm

Accountable;768828 wrote: :wah: But I know what you mean. I'm just not willing to take parental responsibility away from parents.

is that a yes to the love bites?:D

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:26 pm

I think it says a lot that we are asking government more and more to legislate for cases of human stupidity. It should be obvious that a 500 brake horse power car is not really something that someone with very little driving experience and a feeling of invincibility (i.e. the average 18 year old male) should be driving under any circumstances. I don't know the background to this tragic story, but I have to ask where were the responsible older adults in this story? Who would allow their children to drive around in a supercar? Its nuts?

We have a big problem here in Ireland now with young men buying and modifying cars and then driving around on dangerous Irish roads in a style like they are in an action movie, they have the money so that's not an impediment, and you can't deal with legislation without unfortunatly discriminating against people who don't drive dangerously and just happen to be young. I think they will just have to make liscening laws that take into account age, and type of car, and penalty points, all of that so it could be used as a better instrument to regulate drivers. Also I think that the police should be given the power to impound cars of drivers they have stopped for speeding or racing and be able to keep them impounded until the case comes before the judge, as that might make people think twice about driving their cars like they are in a video game.

kayleneaussie · Post by **kayleneaussie** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:44 pm

I Agree With You Fuzzy:)

Mia · Post by **Mia** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:45 pm

My answer is one word......yes

Kids think they are invincible I know I did, but could not afford a car.They can drive at seventeen in Britain,believe me my sons gave me sleepless nights.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:57 pm

Mia;768905 wrote: My answer is one word......yes

Kids think they are invincible I know I did, but could not afford a car.They can drive at seventeen in Britain,believe me my sons gave me sleepless nights.
Kids can afford their own cars now??

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:43 pm

I find it hard to believe that a 17 year old kid would be able to scrimp & save enough for a powerhouse sports car and expensive insurance on his own. But even if he could, doesn't an adult have to sign papers for it?

I'm sorry, but I don't see how the responsibility can lie anywhere but with the parent(s).

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:48 pm

I agree ACC 17 his parents are responsible. No way in hell a 17 year old shold be behind the wheel of a powerful car like this. SAD..

[QUOTE]I find it hard to believe that a 17 year old kid would be able to scrimp & save enough for a powerhouse sports car and expensive insurance on his own. But even if he could, doesn't an adult have to sign papers for it?

I'm sorry, but I don't see how the responsibility can lie anywhere but with the parent(s).[/QUOTE]

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:29 pm

Jester;768977 wrote: Oops, looks like he was of that magical age of 18, which makes him an adult, able to inter into a legal contract without parental consent.

To bad his parents didnt impart some wisdom to him at anypoint in those previous 17 years.
Yup. Ya gotta draw that finish line somewhere.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:44 pm

This might not have been an " accident"

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:01 am

weeder;769017 wrote: This might not have been an " accident"

I think I see why you might think that Weeder as it crossed my mind too. The boy posted on a forum about a "thud" noise when he was pushing the throttle just 12 hours previous to his death. If thats the case, something definately needs to be done to stop immature minds driving behind such powerful cars.......Im sure someone with more maturity would of 1] got it checked out straight away in a garage, specially since it was a new car and maybe under warranty.2] Not floor it, so it got to the "thud stage.

I vote for Queen Fuzzy.......Well weird but she made some sense in that post up there:wah::wah::wah:

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:29 am

I remember at 16 years old riding in the back of a friend's car whilst he drove like a loony down the country lanes, pulling handbrake turns etc. On another occasion being the passenger in another car that forced one car into the verge to avoid hitting us when the driver overtook and judged it badly. And a further time being in a car on the way back from somewhere with about 7 passengers crammed in footwells etc.

All of these could have proved fatal, all of these were in just ordinary cars.

So although I agree with an age-limit for high performance cars I personally feel an experience-limit would be better. At the moment in this country you can't supervise a learner driver unless you are over 21 and have three years driving on a full licence. I think that insurance companies should have a blanket ban on insuring high performance vehicles until the driver is at least 21 and three years of speeding endorsement free driving.

I know you can't legislate for everything and I certainly feel that parental education has a vital part to play but when it's their money it's hard to tell them how to spend it.

My step-daughter wants a Subaru Impretsa (spelling?), it terrifies me that she could one day be driving one of them! She's been driving for quite a while now but recently had an accident partly due to speed (I feel - she doesn't agree) and that was at 35 mph in a 30 zone!

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:08 am

Idiots abound, and if they can't show off by crashing a sporty ride they'll do it in the family Buick. When I was 15 I was one of 5 passengers during a wild ride partway down a mountain, then an angry & argumentative walk the rest of the way. We were damned lucky nobody was hurt.

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:40 am

Accountable;769141 wrote: Idiots abound, and if they can't show off by crashing a sporty ride they'll do it in the family Buick. When I was 15 I was one of 5 passengers during a wild ride partway down a mountain, then an angry & argumentative walk the rest of the way. We were damned lucky nobody was hurt.

You'er absolutely right, two of the worst drivers I've ever seen were drunk, one was elderly the other middle-aged.

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:24 am

The range of people having their cars impounded in Ontario for going 50K over the limit are the complete range of ages. They expected to nail more young drivers but have been surprised by the results. I can try to find the stats on the age ranges.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:41 am

Imladris;769156 wrote: You'er absolutely right, two of the worst drivers I've ever seen were drunk, one was elderly the other middle-aged.
In my case, the guy was 16, but that doesn't make any difference. Idiots is idiots, eh?

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:27 am

jimbo;769256 wrote: the most aggressive nasty impatient dangerous drivers i've ever seen are the mums doing the school run at 3 pm absolutely mad all of them i've seen fights between the mums over parking spaces honest i have

you know what it is .. its nothing to do with collecting the kids on time ..

its all about getting there early so they can talk about the other women and getting there early so the other women cant talk about them :wah::wah:

no i'm not joking it really is

I used to drive to collect my daughter because quite often I was working and needed to get back (to walk was possible but took a lot longer). The worse time was when it was wet, then all the parents drove to collect their kids 'cos they couldn't possibly let their little darlings get damp

Since we moved and it's just a five minute walk - she gets soaked, I tell her it's character building!

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:29 am

Maybe limit the engine power for a probationary period? To get straight in to a car like that having just passed the test is ludicrous. I would blame the parents if they bought it for him. Then again they probably blame themselves even more.

We have a problem with young drivers killing themselves but it's not so much speed itself or powerful cars but inexperience-showing off to their mates taking corners too fast, overtaking in stupid places or just driving off the road cos they are not used to twisty roads. In winter it takes experience to realise there might be black ice around or to realise you will skid on wet leaves. (for any american readers our roads aren't straight they have bends in them. taking a bend too fast will cure anyone of speeding if they don't wipe out the car. The other favourite is going smack in to the back of a tractor) You can kill yourself hitting a tree at 30 never mind any faster. Motorways are by contrast relatively safe.

It's easy criticising young drivers and they're not all daft. Any driver that claims never to have done something stupid in their driving care I tend not to believe. Statistically every hundred miles you do something stupid that could result in an accident, inattention, getting tired whatever. (read that somewhere, don't know if it's true but it feels about right )

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:41 am

1300 drivers caught going 50K or more over the posted limit in Ontario in one month. Looks like the younger ages are the majority afterall.

The ranks of those caught under the new law are hardly the street-racing type: They run the gamut from teenaged girls to elderly men and just about every demographic in between.

The most common age of offenders has been 21, the average age is 30, and half the charges have been laid against drivers 26 and under. About 13 of the drivers were 65 or older, and 41 were 17 or younger. Almost 84 per cent were male and 16 per cent were female.

ctv

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:18 am

gmc;769263 wrote: Maybe limit the engine power for a probationary period? To get straight in to a car like that having just passed the test is ludicrous. I would blame the parents if they bought it for him. Then again they probably blame themselves even more.

We have a problem with young drivers killing themselves but it's not so much speed itself or powerful cars but inexperience-showing off to their mates taking corners too fast, overtaking in stupid places or just driving off the road cos they are not used to twisty roads. In winter it takes experience to realise there might be black ice around or to realise you will skid on wet leaves. (for any american readers our roads aren't straight they have bends in them. taking a bend too fast will cure anyone of speeding if they don't wipe out the car. The other favourite is going smack in to the back of a tractor) You can kill yourself hitting a tree at 30 never mind any faster. Motorways are by contrast relatively safe.

It's easy criticising young drivers and they're not all daft. Any driver that claims never to have done something stupid in their driving care I tend not to believe. Statistically every hundred miles you do something stupid that could result in an accident, inattention, getting tired whatever. (read that somewhere, don't know if it's true but it feels about right )
You have bends and curves in your roads? Thats just crazy, why didn't they build them straight? How are you supposed to steer with your knee while drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette?:rolleyes:

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:33 am

I was thinking more along the lines of those arranged suicide scenarios, that are so popular these days. Because, after all... surely the driver and passengers knew the risks. And.... FLYING THROUGH THE AIR???? That is a little over the top, isnt it?

I just found out last night that if you are stopped in Virginia doing 81mph, on the interstate, it is an arrestable offense, and carries a fine of 1,600.00

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:00 am

YZGI;769276 wrote: You have bends and curves in your roads? Thats just crazy, why didn't they build them straight? How are you supposed to steer with your knee while drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette?:rolleyes:

Ya gotta get out of Kansas some. :wah:

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:57 am

YZGI;769276 wrote: You have bends and curves in your roads? Thats just crazy, why didn't they build them straight? How are you supposed to steer with your knee while drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette?:rolleyes:

Well, cupholders in the cars help......................