BAD EXAMPLE
Terrifying moment learner driver is smashed off the road by impatient Mercedes driver during lesson
THIS is the terrifying moment a learner driver is smashed off the road by an impatient Mercedes motorist.
Instructor Chris was leading a lesson on the M1 when the car veered across the lane and rammed into the L-plate vehicle.
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The teacher and his student, who had never been on a motorway before, were heading from Sutton-in-Ashfield to Nottingham.
The learner built up speed "confidently" on the slip road at Junction 28 when the Merc booted them into the barriers.
Footage shows a Kia in the left lane move out to the middle, allowing their Peugeot space to merge in.
But a red Mercedes SLK200 then accelerates from behind them to overtake.
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As the narrow gap closes, the driver loses control and swerves towards the Peugeot, sending it crashing across the hard shoulder.
It hits it with such force the suspension collapses and the vehicle strikes the side at 60mph.
The front wheel was almost entirely severed from the car in the incident at 1.45pm on May 7, 2021, with only the brake line remaining intact.
Chris said: "My learner and I were unable to correct the skid due to the force of the impact so my Peugeot struck the motorway barriers.
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"The damage was so extensive the car was deemed a total loss."
Thankfully there were no notable injuries recorded at the scene.
Learner drivers have been permitted to use motorways in England, Scotland and Wales since 2018, providing they are accompanied by an approved instructor in a dual-control car fitted with L-plates.
While not mandatory, Chris said he makes all of his pupils practice on motorways during lessons so they are prepared for "real-life" driving.
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"Since this change in legislation, I have made an effort to train all of my learner drivers on the motorway," he said.
"It equips them for real-life driving instead of limiting them to merely passing the driving test."
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