AS Teen driver died after losing control of his car
Cambridge Evening News
27th February 2006
A TEENAGE driver died after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into an oncoming car, an inquest heard.
Kurt Doe, of Reydon Close, Haverhill, was travelling at around 70mph when his red Vauxhall Corsa swerved onto the other side of the road and hit an orange Peugeot 307 on the B1307, 300 metres north east of Bartlow crossroads.
The impact killed the 19-year-old trainee computer engineer, and severely injured Peugeot driver Robert Courtney, from Castle Camps, and his four-year-old daughter who was travelling with him. Kurt was already dead when his car burst into flames.
Police believe the Peugeot was travelling at 51mph, and calculated the Corsa was likely to have been travelling over the speed limit at 70mph, when the accident happened on December 2.
Mr Courtney, from Castle Camps, whose daughter was strapped into a child seat behind him, described the horrifying moments of the crash.
He said: "The first thing I saw was this car coming towards me, its headlights were coming straight at me. It all happened so quickly and I had no time to react. Suddenly there was impact."
Mr Courtney's daughter's injuries included a broken rib, while he suffered internal injuries.
Witnesses described the Corsa as having lost control after negotiating a bend in the road, but coroner Dr Samuel Bass said there was no way of knowing how this happened.
The court heard that Kurt had Asperger's Syndrome. In some cases, this condition could mean a sufferer is less likely to be able to cope with spontaneous or emergency situations, but Kurt's family said his condition mainly affected him socially. His family had informed Kurt's driving instructors and doctors, who did not believe his Asperger's would affect his driving.
Coroner Dr Samuel Bass recorded a verdict of accidental death.
ENDS
People get killed or injured in car accidents all the time. I find it interesting that the article mentioned that the man had AS when they did not even mention the weather conditions at the time of the accident. Driving at 70 mph is speeding but most people do drive at that speed on the highway.
"The court heard that Kurt had Asperger's Syndrome. In some cases, this condition could mean a sufferer is less likely to be able to cope with spontaneous or emergency situations, but Kurt's family said his condition mainly affected him socially. His family had informed Kurt's driving instructors and doctors, who did not believe his Asperger's would affect his driving." The other family just want someone to blame so they can sue them. That's America.
Maybe the other driver had his high beams on and will not admit to it.
There is now a push on in many states to pass laws that grant "conditional" licenses to teens. The conditions depending upon their age. Conditions like no driving after dark or a certain hour, under 18 can drive but must have adult in car, or if there are multiple teens in the car an adult must be there, etc.
Yes, that just went into effect here in Ohio.
I wouldn't have let my kids drive late at night or with multiple teens in the car anyway!
I've been driving for thirty years now. I've never had a single accident, and aside from one speeding ticket when I was 17, never had any other traffic infringement either. I don't believe AS has anything to do with whether you're a good driver or not. The article says that the accident happened at night? Well, tired people have been known to fall asleep at the wheel, AS or NT. This feels like another example of AS-bashing.
Alison
What I could find.
For Britian. Speed limits are usually:-
1. 30 miles per hour (48kph) in towns and built up areas
2. 40mph (65kph) on some town roads where shown
3. 60mph (97kph) on most 'single carriageway' (2-way) roads
4. 70mph (113kph) on 'dual carriageways' and motorways.
So what is a "B" roadway?
Head collisions are the most fatal types of crashes.
I've been driving for thirty years now. I've never had a single accident, and aside from one speeding ticket when I was 17, never had any other traffic infringement either. I don't believe AS has anything to do with whether you're a good driver or not. The article says that the accident happened at night? Well, tired people have been known to fall asleep at the wheel, AS or NT. This feels like another example of AS-bashing.
Alison
I've been driving since I was 15 but just from what I've read in this and other forums, I believe AS DOES affect driving. I've read about quite a large number of aspies who never could drive. I'll bet the statistics if taken, would show a larger number of accidents among aspies than among the general driving population. I just hope DMVs across the world don't use this to deny or restrict aspies from getting a driver's license.
The news article called the road B. The driver killed was not speeding excessively if he was driving at 70 mph when the limit was 60?
In my country all inexperienced drivers, regardless of age, are restricted in what is graduated licencing. It is grossly unfair with insurance since people who have lived in other countries, even if possessing a long and safe driving record are charged as much as $6000 per annum for insurance. The reason for the high rates are that they do not have a Canadian insurance record. Teenagers might only get a break at insurance if covered by their parent's policy which allows them to be listed as an occasional driver.
I think it would be grossly unfair for insurance companies to charge people with AS higher rates.
I think it would be grossly unfair for insurance companies to charge people with AS higher rates.
That would be unfair. I hope the statistics are never taken. Insurance companies often use stats like this to justify their rates. We may need legal protection from practices like.
I tried driving some years ago, but had two quite serious crashes in a very short time, (fortunately injuring no one but myself) so decided it was best and safest for me not to persevere with it.
Once I was driving down the road to my house when another car suddenly pulled out from a side street in front of me. The driver saw me so he stopped right in front of me. I skillfully modulated my brakes to avoid skidding and turned to avoid hitting the other car. I did this all by reflex. The driver of the other car was so amazed he reversed towards me to tell me what he thought of my driving. He said, "wow that's some great driving!". I should add that I had drunk a few beers before this.
I should add that I had drunk a few beers before this.
why were you driving?
Why not? I always drink and drive.
Once I was driving down the road to my house when another car suddenly pulled out from a side street in front of me. The driver saw me so he stopped right in front of me. I skillfully modulated my brakes to avoid skidding and turned to avoid hitting the other car. I did this all by reflex. The driver of the other car was so amazed he reversed towards me to tell me what he thought of my driving. He said, "wow that's some great driving!". I should add that I had drunk a few beers before this.
Bad idea to be drinking and driving, causes so many accidents
I should add that I had drunk a few beers before this.
why were you driving?
Why not? I always drink and drive.
:evil: Then be ashamed of yourself. If you kill someone you will face a very harsh penalty.
I drank a few beers but I was not drunk so give me a break. I think I would have passed a breath test. I have never been in an accident either and I've been driving for more than 25 years.
But you said you ALWAYS drink and drive.
That was a figure of speech. I don't always drink before I drive. Sometimes I drink WHILE I drive.
theosoph,
These days there is always high emotion surrounding the subject of drinking and driving. When you openly admit to drinking and driving, it’s natural for people to react strongly.
You mentioned that you felt as though you had a certain ability or skill in being able to control a vehicle, and then noted having had a few beers just prior to an incident you cited. I was wondering if you were crediting the alcohol with increasing your ability to avoid accidents. Alcohol can make us feel more relaxed, and increase confidence. It would be faulty logic however, to conclude that because you feel more relaxed and in control that you actually are. Alcohol has been proven to slow down reaction times, so even if you were able to perform adequately in the other aspects of driving, there’s no getting around the fact that a slower reaction time increases danger to you and others. That fact was recently proven here in the states using professional drivers (NASCAR) and testing their reaction times after drinking various amounts of alcohol. It won’t improve your driving, only makes it more dangerous. If D&D is something you do out of rebelliousness, find another way to rebel, the cost is just too high, and we‘d like you stick around a while longer.
Hey I know all that but I was just being honest. I said I often drink and drive but not when I'm drunk. I added the drinking into to my story to emphasize that I could drive reflexively even though I was slightly impaired.