Exeter campaigner's Top Gear plea
CONCERNS about speeding raised by a road safety campaigner from Exeter could see the BBC's Top Gear come with a health warning in future.
Nina Morgan, who lost her only son in a crash in which the driver was going at more than 100mph 40 years ago, wants the show to give a warning at the start for people not to copy the presenters' antics.
Currently screened on BB2 on Sunday nights, the three presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, can regularly be seen racing at great speed and taking part in daredevil stunts.
Mrs Morgan, 84, of Magdalen Road, said: "I watch the show and it is an exciting and well-balanced programme. The only thing that concerns me is the demonstration of high speeding in cars and the effect it has on young inexperienced drivers.
"I would like to see a warning put up before the programme informing viewers not to try to copy the high-speed driving.
"The team who drive these cars are all experienced and know of the risks they are taking. But as role models, they could give the wrong message."
Mrs Morgan initially raised her concerns with Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw who passed them on to Lord Adonis of the Department for Transport.
In response, the peer said the department did not comment on individual programmes, and suggested she pursue the matter with the BBC.
Mrs Morgan has now received a letter from the BBC to say her request for a warning had been registered on the audience log and the producers were going to survey staff opinion.
This would include members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controller and other senior managers and a decision on whether to introduce a warning would be made on this basis.
Mrs Morgan said: "I am pleased by this reaction and it looks like they are taking notice. I will be watching and waiting to see if they put the warning in place but I am determined to make it happen.
"There is nothing like the moment the police come to the door to tell you your son's dead. Knowing that he would be married by now, I would have a daughter-in-law and probably grandchildren is still far too painful to think about.
"This was all taken away because of an irresponsible driver who lost control at 103mph on a country road.
"I have been campaigning for better road safety ever since. I am patient but if Top Gear doesn't do anything I will give a gentle reminder."
12 Comments
View all
by Misterkipling
Thursday, August 18 2011, 9:59PM
“yeah don't drive round dunsfold park dressed in white with a white crash helmet like they do in top gear, also if your an idiot you should cut that down too
84?
Thats a very dangerous age to still be driving on average, someone should campaign about that too”
by sd, Exeter
Saturday, December 26 2009, 8:32PM
“Speed doesnt kill, only idiots that cant drive!”
by Dave, Montreal
Saturday, December 26 2009, 12:25PM
“Lydia, peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes...like peas or beans....they carry the warning because they are frequently processed/packaged on the same equipment as almonds,walnuts etc......the fact that some people have specific peanut allergies (or worse ) is immaterial.”
by Johnny, UK
Friday, December 25 2009, 3:50PM
“Jeremy Clarkson dealt with this way back in 2004:
"You can't review a car designed to do 215mph by sticking to 70. One solution, according to one of the letter writers, is to finish each story by saying, in a William Woolardish way, ¿Don't try this at home'. But that's silly.
You couldn't drive a Porsche Carrera GT at 200mph ¿at home' because you'd be forever crashing into the coffee table. What's more, I made a vow when I started out in TV that I'd never, ever say such a thing. Standing there, with a serious face, saying `Don't try this at home' implies that I am clever and talented and that you're a hopeless, mouthbreathing, knuckledragging oik."
Full column: http://www.topgear.com/uk/jeremy-clarkson/clarkson-speed-2004-10-01”
by Pete, Exeter
Thursday, December 24 2009, 6:38PM
“Although I feel for Mrs Morans loss, shouldn't she just switch over and watch 'Songs of Praise' instead.
Is it the same as banning any food and drink programmes if someone has dies from alcohol poisoning”
by M Cheeseman, exeter
Thursday, December 24 2009, 4:13PM
“"Nina Morgan, who lost her only son in a crash in which the driver was going at more than 100mph 40 years ago, wants the show to give a warning at the start for people not to copy the presenters' antics."
40 years ago, and she's only doing this now?
This is just a bit ridiculous, anyone with a brain can work out they're driving these cars in controlled environments, and if they choose to 're-enact' the program on public roads, the worlds probably better off without them anyway.
We're slowly turning into America.”
by small boy, exeter
Thursday, December 24 2009, 12:55PM
“warnings on the screen at all times - blue peter - dont play with glue it can kill - master chef - dont use this gas oven it can kill - dancing on ice - dont do this at home you can break your leg - eastenders - dont go into a pub you might drink something and die - spongebob square pants - dont swim underwater for 20 mins or youwill die. Oh my God we are doomed to be controlled by a nanny state !!!!! WARNING - DONT READ THIS YOU MIGHT GET EYE STRAIN AND BECOME DIZZY, FALL OVER BANG YOUR HEAD AND DIE..”
by Ryan, EXETER
Thursday, December 24 2009, 12:12PM
“If you watch the programme you will notice that when the cars are going sideways and travelling at high speeds they are on a private track NOT public Roads”
by Lydia, Exeter
Thursday, December 24 2009, 9:30AM
“I totally agree with the three comments below, use some common sense, obviously what they do in the show is not how you drive in real life.
Just one point however, Matt; people really are that dumb - i can honestly tell you that even a bag of Peanuts carry a nut warning on them .
So I think that point alone demonstrates people needs of dumming down the utter obvious...”
by Chris, UK
Thursday, December 24 2009, 8:49AM
“We really don't need any more nanny state prattling on TV thank you. Next you'll have cookery programmes warning people to be careful with knives!”