Publications
Partners
A controversial BBC reality TV show, 'Barely Legal Drivers', is under investigation by British police because of the shocking driving offences committed by teenage drivers on the show.
The show uses cameras to film young drivers and analyse their driving behaviour then offers the youngsters advanced driving courses and training behind the wheel.
TEEN DRIVING WHILE DRUNK
According to the UK's Daily Mail, since being aired in April 2013 the show has received 300 complaints from viewers about the shocking road behaviour revealed. Many have expressed outrage that some contestants were apparently rewarded by being given a free car by the BBC.
The first of the series, broadcast in April 2013, showed 19-year-old Chantelle Jefferies yelling obscenities at other drivers and talking on her cellphone while driving. She was also shown applying lipstick while cruising on a motorway.
At the end of the episode she was judged to have "learned her lesson" with producers giving her father enough money to buy her a new car.
Another teen was shown driving at 160km/h on a motorway and at one point producers had to stop him from driving after he was found to be almost twice the legal drink-drive limit, reports the Daily Mail.
'CONDEMN IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR'
Superintendent Paul Richards said: “We are investigating the driving offences being committed on the programme and are considering prosecution. At the very least, we condemn such irresponsible behaviour and would reassure everyone that we treat it extremely seriously.”
The BBC hit back, according to the Mail, and said the programme rewarded those who learned from their mistakes: "'Barely Legal Drivers' highlights the issue that young drivers in the UK are some of the most dangerous in Europe. It's about making young people better drivers."
As for the free car, the BBC adds that its a "sensible" reward and that the vehilce had a small engine.
Click here to watch the first episode of 'Barely Legal Drivers' (Warning: NSFW language)
What would a similar show reveal in SA? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts on Wheels24.
The show uses cameras to film young drivers and analyse their driving behaviour then offers the youngsters advanced driving courses and training behind the wheel.
TEEN DRIVING WHILE DRUNK
According to the UK's Daily Mail, since being aired in April 2013 the show has received 300 complaints from viewers about the shocking road behaviour revealed. Many have expressed outrage that some contestants were apparently rewarded by being given a free car by the BBC.
The first of the series, broadcast in April 2013, showed 19-year-old Chantelle Jefferies yelling obscenities at other drivers and talking on her cellphone while driving. She was also shown applying lipstick while cruising on a motorway.
At the end of the episode she was judged to have "learned her lesson" with producers giving her father enough money to buy her a new car.
Another teen was shown driving at 160km/h on a motorway and at one point producers had to stop him from driving after he was found to be almost twice the legal drink-drive limit, reports the Daily Mail.
'CONDEMN IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR'
Superintendent Paul Richards said: “We are investigating the driving offences being committed on the programme and are considering prosecution. At the very least, we condemn such irresponsible behaviour and would reassure everyone that we treat it extremely seriously.”
The BBC hit back, according to the Mail, and said the programme rewarded those who learned from their mistakes: "'Barely Legal Drivers' highlights the issue that young drivers in the UK are some of the most dangerous in Europe. It's about making young people better drivers."
As for the free car, the BBC adds that its a "sensible" reward and that the vehilce had a small engine.
Click here to watch the first episode of 'Barely Legal Drivers' (Warning: NSFW language)
What would a similar show reveal in SA? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts on Wheels24.
