Paul's wife tries launch control for the first time?

[Lee 944]

Paul's wife trying the Panamera launch control for the first time.

[Sean Smallman]

I think she pee'd her pants

[Paul Mabley]

No, I gave Kerry her kitchen before I bought the car!

We went to the Silverstone centre for the driving experience in the panamera last Thursday where she learnt to power slide it like a champion!

Sadly though, I probably shouldn't say too much on here at the moment but the car is in a sorry state as I had a large accident in it yesterday afternoon as a result if a young girl crossing my road in front of me, heavy impact and me in the hedge luckily no injuries as I thought it was fatal when I saw the wreckage.

Toyota Aygo is definite write off mine is borderline as whole front, offside, wheels are wrecked and the pyrotechnic bonnet activated too. All fluids on road and front wheels pointing opposite directions. No airbag deployment so may be OK.

I'll post more when I hear next week but police said its clear cut in my favour.

[Phil3822]

Sorry to hear this Paul but glad all ok except cars. BTW, launch control looks cool.

[AML911]

Also sorry to hear about your news Paul.

[Sean Smallman]

Pleased you are ok mate

[Lee 944]

I'm glad everyone is ok and hope it all gets sorted.

[Paul Mabley]

Thanks everyone.

The other insurer has admitted liability in the main but are trying to say that I was speeding and caused more damage than I should have hence trying to get me to accept a percentage. I refuted it in line with what the Police said but will get legal representation on Monday.

There is a link to my photobucket site in my profile, don't want to put pics on boards yet until everything resolved.

[Nick]

The other driver owes you big time for an impressive bit of evasive driving.

Nick

[Paul Mabley]

My thoughts exactly but thank you for saying so it does make me feel better!

[forge197]

Glad you and all involved are ok.

[Paul Mabley]

I'm getting representation but the evidence in my favour is pretty good:

Rule 172 Highway Code - You MUST give way from a side road governed by give way sign and dashed road markings, backed up by Road Traffic Act

Highway code stopping distances:

30mph 23m
50 53m
70 96m

Rule 227 states that this should be at least doubled in wet weather.

Given that I've measured my stopping distance at below 40m on low friction wet tarmac and wet grass I think I can comfortably state that I was travelling without excess speed.

I also have a good case to persue her for a driving without due care and attention (careless driving):

The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) under section 3 of the RTA 1988 is committed when the defendants driving falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver - section 3ZA(2) of the RTA 1988.

The maximum penalty is a level 5 fine. The court must also either endorse the drivers licence with between 3 and 9 penalty points (unless there are "special reasons" not to do so), or impose disqualification for a fixed period and/or until a driving test has been passed.

In determining what is to be expected of a competent and careful driver, the prosecutor must take into account not only the circumstances of which the driver could be expected to be aware, but also any circumstances shown to have been within the drivers knowledge.

The test of whether the standard of driving has fallen below the required standard is objective. It applies both when the manner of driving in question is deliberate and when it occurs as a result of incompetence, inadvertence or inexperience.

There are decided cases that provide some guidance as to the driving that courts will regard as careless or inconsiderate and the following examples are typical of what we are likely to regard as careless driving:

overtaking on the inside;
driving inappropriately close to another vehicle;
inadvertently driving through a red light;
emerging from a side road into the path of another vehicle;
tuning a car radio; when the driver was avoidably distracted by this action;
using a hand-held mobile phone or other hand-held electronic equipment when the driver was avoidably distracted by that use (note that this is an offence itself under Regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003). If this is the only relevant aspect of the case it is more appropriate to use the specific offence;
selecting and lighting a cigarette or similar when the driver was avoidably distracted by that use.

I've marked in bold what applies to her - satnav (although the passenger claims he was operating it at the time!) and emerging from side road.

Anyway, I'll let you know what happens!

[EL Gordo]

As long as everyone is ok the rest is sortable, good luck mate

[lindsayhbrown]

Feel for you, glad you are ok, saw the Pana at The Ace on Bank Holiday Monday, looking a little sad for itself now, hope you get it all sorted

[Paul Mabley]

Should have the report today its borderline at the moment, extensive mechanical damage at front end and going on ramp this morning to check underneath.