The Crash Detectives BBC

[jmorgan]

If the car came with it, I would not be removing it. Your body mass will overpower whatever strength you think you have under sever deceleration. That is without driving outside the system that has been created in modification and that system includes the ability of the driver.

It would be interesting to know if people have learned anything after this or just carry on thinking it will not happen to them.

[oobster]

Strange one with the Fiesta into the pub car park, although the driver was over the drink AND drug drive limit there didn't seem to be any definitive reason why the swerve off the road.

The blue van into the bus stop though. Ouch. Lifelong life-changing injuries but had no licence.

Still, a very interesting series, thank you OP for posting about it, I would have missed it otherwise.

[jkh112]

The young occupants of the fiesta were not wearing seatbelts, similar to the megane driver in the previous episode. I cannot understand the aversion to seatbelts, is it just not cool to clunk click every trip?

[plug]

How is it that the driver of the white merc that caught fire, get 3 points and £100 fine after causing the road to be shut and all that work for the police.
And I get the same penalty for driving at 43mph in a 40mph zone on a dual carriageway?

[untakenname]

I don't get that sentence either, should have at least had a driving ban, only 3 points for crashing on a straight road is baffling.
Perhaps as it was because he wasn't speeding at the time so it's ok as you can't get hurt if you don't speed....
Wonder if the insurance will pay out considering? Shouldn't have been allowed to drive that car at 18, at least it wasn't an M2.

Was quite impressed that the Ford phoned home using the occupants tethered phone, assumed the tech was exclusive to higher end cars that use built in data connectivity.

Shame it was only a 4 part series, would rather watch that then some fly on the wall police drama.

[wjwren]

I thought maybe the merc driver had been on his phone as the officer said he was keen to get his phone back, which I guess had gone up in flames. Perhaps he was on it maybe he wasnt, but I guess the fine would of been greater if the police could prove he was. I wonder if they checked phone records to see if it had been in use?

[wjwren]

Seatbelt thing is bizarre - maybe its the latest craze for the kids in not wearing one.

[ape x]

oobster said:

Thanks OP, just watched two episodes and about to watch a third.

Very interesting program, well presented without being sensationalised.

That MG that ended up on it's side, didn't even have a brake fluid resevoir attached to the master cylinder, wonder if the DVSA came down hard on whoever MOT'd it.

I think they could simply say it was fine at the MOT and the owner is responsible after that couldn't they? I had a mate with various track focused road cars with no air bags (race wheel) etc etc and he used to use a center that simply MOT'd it as if stuff was there (cat, non race exhaust, track tyres etc etc) and if he got caught or worse they said its his problem, he must of simply "put it back on after MOT"... he's still alive and no longer drives anything like that on the road anymore, so lucky more than clever....seemed to be a deal he was happy with though for a bit..

[SAB888]

wjwren said:

I thought maybe the merc driver had been on his phone as the officer said he was keen to get his phone back, which I guess had gone up in flames. Perhaps he was on it maybe he wasnt, but I guess the fine would of been greater if the police could prove he was. I wonder if they checked phone records to see if it had been in use?

That's what I thought as well.

[SAB888]

untakenname said:

I don't get that sentence either, should have at least had a driving ban, only 3 points for crashing on a straight road is baffling.
Perhaps as it was because he wasn't speeding at the time so it's ok as you can't get hurt if you don't speed....
Wonder if the insurance will pay out considering? Shouldn't have been allowed to drive that car at 18, at least it wasn't an M2.

Was quite impressed that the Ford phoned home using the occupants tethered phone, assumed the tech was exclusive to higher end cars that use built in data connectivity.

Shame it was only a 4 part series, would rather watch that then some fly on the wall police drama.

At the end it was announced that another series was being planned. Haven't seen the first episode yet, but the other three were very interesting and also done well. Got to say, an excellent series from BBC Wales.

[jmorgan]

ape x said:

I think they could simply say it was fine at the MOT and the owner is responsible after that couldn't they? I had a mate with various track focused road cars with no air bags (race wheel) etc etc and he used to use a center that simply MOT'd it as if stuff was there (cat, non race exhaust, track tyres etc etc) and if he got caught or worse they said its his problem, he must of simply "put it back on after MOT"... he's still alive and no longer drives anything like that on the road anymore, so lucky more than clever....seemed to be a deal he was happy with though for a bit..

The car was in a dire state though. The tin worm had run riot and that was not all. There were many fails the suddenly it had passed but the faults were still there.

[Munter]

wjwren said:

Seatbelt thing is bizarre - maybe its the latest craze for the kids in not wearing one.

I suspect it's the same as the ABS disabling.

Gullible person reads on the internet that cars can stop quicker without ABS. Plus they have the added driving god gene. So removes it.
Gullible person reads on the internet that they are better thrown clear. Plus thay have added driving god gene. So doesn't wear seatbelt.

[jkh112]

untakenname said:

Was quite impressed that the Ford phoned home using the occupants tethered phone, assumed the tech was exclusive to higher end cars that use built in data connectivity.
.

I may be wrong (in fact I probably am) but I thought all new cars now, or soon, must have the emergency auto call thingy fitted as standard.

Edit to add: A quick google search reveals this:
The European Union has approved plans to install an emergency call feature in all cars and light vans from March 31st, 2018. The system, known as eCall, automatically contacts emergency services in the event of a crash, as determined by in-car sensors, such as those triggering the vehicle's airbags.

[Steamer]

As I think just about everyone else has said - excellent series (if not a little macabre).

Very interesting watching the process and lengths involved with the Mini / Motorcycle accident and the Tractor / Corsa accident...

...the outcome of the sentences dished out to the Tractor driver and Corsa driver was a bit of an eye opener. Although the tractor driver was pushing his luck before the accident even happened (glad they proved his lights were all working and he wasnt at fault / blamed for something he hadnt done though).

[RicksAlfas]

Very interesting series. All new drivers should be made to watch it.

Can't believe people go out of their way not to put their seatbelt on. Crazy.

[Munter]

untakenname said:

I don't get that sentence either, should have at least had a driving ban, only 3 points for crashing on a straight road is baffling.
Perhaps as it was because he wasn't speeding at the time so it's ok as you can't get hurt if you don't speed....
Wonder if the insurance will pay out considering? Shouldn't have been allowed to drive that car at 18, at least it wasn't an M2.

Was quite impressed that the Ford phoned home using the occupants tethered phone, assumed the tech was exclusive to higher end cars that use built in data connectivity.

Shame it was only a 4 part series, would rather watch that then some fly on the wall police drama.

Small sentence for a small mistake, (asleep/inattention for a few seconds for whatever reason) that had no impact on anybody else.

Sentences seem to often be based on the impact of the persons actions. Even if the same actions at another time/place would have resulted in a very different outcome.

[Paul O]

This was a very interesting series. Quite difficult to watch with some of the stuff (the potential consequences of the driver of the Corsa crashing into the tractor being one of them) and very eye opening, but fascinating non the less.

I'm surprised it hasn't made it to the 'national' BBC schedule, it was really well made. A very impressive and tough job that those Police chaps do.

[jmorgan]

Munter said:

untakenname said:

I don't get that sentence either, should have at least had a driving ban, only 3 points for crashing on a straight road is baffling.
Perhaps as it was because he wasn't speeding at the time so it's ok as you can't get hurt if you don't speed....
Wonder if the insurance will pay out considering? Shouldn't have been allowed to drive that car at 18, at least it wasn't an M2.

Was quite impressed that the Ford phoned home using the occupants tethered phone, assumed the tech was exclusive to higher end cars that use built in data connectivity.

Shame it was only a 4 part series, would rather watch that then some fly on the wall police drama.

Small sentence for a small mistake, (asleep/inattention for a few seconds for whatever reason) that had no impact on anybody else.

Sentences seem to often be based on the impact of the persons actions. Even if the same actions at another time/place would have resulted in a very different outcome.

Didn't they say he was in hospital for 9 months?

[Gameface]

Dead, nearly burnt alive and brain damaged.

Sobering stuff.

[downthepub]

Thanks for posting up about this, I've watched all four episodes over the past couple of days. Detective techniques they have and the ends they'll go to are impressive; and kudos to the coppers for getting the MINI driver in particular.

Sobering stuff.