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Coroner Urges Stricter Rules After Teen Death
18 Mar
Summary
- A 16-year-old passenger died in a car crash involving an inexperienced 17-year-old driver.
- The coroner cited driver inexperience as a likely cause for losing control.
- Calls are being made for stricter rules for new young drivers.
A fatal collision on Emsworth Common Road near Chichester on November 27, 2024, has prompted calls for enhanced safety measures for young drivers. Paul Green, a 16-year-old passenger, tragically lost his life when the car he was in struck a tree. The driver, a 17-year-old who had recently obtained her license, was cited by the assistant coroner as likely having lost control due to her inexperience.
The inquest into Paul Green's death revealed that the driver's inexperience was a probable cause for the accident. The coroner also noted that the victim was not wearing a seatbelt, which may have contributed to his fatal head injuries. Other teenagers, including a second 16-year-old boy, were also injured in the incident.
Assistant Coroner Gareth Jones expressed concern that newly qualified 17-year-old drivers are permitted to drive on all UK roads, including motorways, without adult supervision. He has urged the Department for Transport to address this issue, warning that the current regulations could lead to further fatal accidents if left unchanged.
