Teen's ignorance was fatal

A YOUNG P-plater drove his car with the engine turned off and keys out of the ignition because he thought it would save petrol.
It instead resulted in his death and one of his passengers losing half her face, a coroner has found.

The bizarre act caused the steering wheel to lock and resulted in the vehicle ploughing into a garbage truck, killing the 18-year-old instantly and severely injuring his three passengers.

The driver, whose name has been suppressed by the Coroners Court, had had his licence for only one month before his death.

Coroner Rod Chandler released his findings yesterday into the crash which occurred last December on the Channel Highway at Margate.

Mr Chandler has described the act as "ignorant" and urged lawmakers to ensure young drivers not only gained the skills they needed to drive on the road but also general vehicle knowledge.

"In my opinion the removal of the key from the Nissan's ignition was the principal factor causative of this crash because it disengaged the engine thereby effectively disabling the vehicle and preventing the driver from steering it on a safe course," Mr Chandler said in his findings.

"Quite clearly it is an extremely dangerous act to remove a key from a vehicle's ignition whilst it is still in motion.

"I am satisfied that it occurred in this instance not because the deceased was being foolhardy or irresponsible but rather because of his ignorance of its effect upon his capacity to manage the vehicle.

"His tragic death should serve as a reminder to all parents, driving instructors and others involved in driver training of the need to incorporate in learner driver education advice upon fundamental motor vehicle mechanics including direction upon the danger of driving when a vehicle's engine has been disengaged."

Mr Chandler said one of the passengers stated the driver had previously turned off the engine and removed the key -- causing the vehicle to roll, also known as "coasting".

"The deceased's mother also comments that her son was frequently `worried about petrol', and that it would be unsurprising to her if he had removed the key from the ignition in an effort to conserve fuel," he said.

Mr Chandler said speed and the fact the male driver of the Volvo truck had some minor traces of marijuana in his blood had nothing to do with the accident.

"I find that this crash occurred as a consequence of the deceased deliberately removing the key from the ignition while his car was still in motion," he said.

"As a consequence, the engine disengaged and the steering wheel locked as soon as an attempt was made to steer the vehicle.

"In the result it was unable to be diverted from its set course so that it moved from its northbound lane into the opposite lane and into the direct path of the Volvo truck."

The crash happened last December when the teen was driving towards Hobart on the Channel Highway with a group planning to travel to Launceston.

As the Nissan was approaching a left-hand curve it suddenly crossed to the opposite side of the roadway and into the path of the truck travelling towards Margate.

The driver of the truck braked heavily and tried to swerve but was unable to avoid a collision with the Nissan.