Tragedy that could have been avoided

And the worst aspect of the whole situation is that it was a tragedy that could have been avoided.

At an inquest into the deaths of Adam Ruthven, who was driving his Mitsubishi car, and his passengers, Daniel Hague and Jade Best, it was heard that the car had been travelling at speeds in excess of 115mph.

This would be an astonishing act of recklessness anywhere, but even more appalling as it was through a built-up area with a 30mph speed limit. Mr Ruthven, who had spent the evening telling friends about his new car, was found to have had the equivalent of four pints of beer before getting behind the wheel.

It was a shocking loss of life that could have been yet more tragic had the high-powered vehicle hit another car or a pedestrian. And it brings into sharp focus the twin dangers of alcohol and speed towards which many young men, in particular, are so cavalier in their attitudes when it comes to driving.

At the best of times, any car has the potential to be dangerous and anyone in charge of one must have their wits about them and a respect both for the vehicle they are driving and other people on the roads.

In situations such as these, where reduced inhibitions created by drink and a high-performance car capable of unnecessarily over-the-top acceleration, a vehicle can become nothing short of a deadly weapon.

It is to be hoped that anyone even contemplating drink-driving or showing off their car’s capabilities on the district’s roads will take heed of this very sobering tragedy.