Coroner Calls for Ban on Passengers for New Drivers After Halifax Tragedy
A coroner is urging a ban on new drivers having passengers after a tragic crash in Halifax claimed two young lives
Halifax, Yorkshire, UK, Coroner, Traffic Collision, Young Drivers
Halifax: A coroner is pushing for a new rule that would stop newly qualified drivers from having passengers. This comes after a heartbreaking accident that took the lives of two young men.
On October 20, 2023, 19-year-old Joseph Walsh and his friend Tobias Barraclough, 18, were in a car crash that ended tragically. They were driving with three other friends when Joseph lost control of the vehicle on a 20mph road.
The car hit a big stone wall and then bounced back into the road. Sadly, Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene, while Tobias later died in the hospital from his injuries.
Before the crash, the group had been celebrating a birthday at a local pub and had been drinking. A report revealed that Joseph had a high blood alcohol level and had also taken cocaine before driving.
The coroner, Martin Fleming, stated that both deaths were due to the crash and called for action to prevent similar tragedies. He wants the government to think about whether new drivers should be allowed to carry young passengers.
He pointed out that Joseph had just passed his driving test five months before the accident and was legally driving with five friends at the time. The coroner expressed concern that young drivers might be more likely to get into accidents when they have friends of the same age in the car.
Fleming urged for a review of the current rules, emphasizing the need for measures to prevent future deaths. He believes that changes could help save lives and prevent more families from experiencing such heartache.