DanClarke said:

I should imagine that the police will be taking a long hard look at the vehicle concerned in this awful accident as will the owners insurance company in order that they can find a way to deny any claims and pass the liability back to the owner/driver.
None of that helps the poor little girl nor her family.
I can understand that any major modification that alters the characteristics or safety of a vehicle really should be declared (and rightly so) in order to make sure the insurance cover "sticks" and is not withdrawn; but where does that stop?
He fitted non-manufacturer parts, so it is modified?
He fitted a different light-bulb/LED light, so its modified...no cover?
He removed the mid-box....so its modified...no cover?
There has to be some sensible upgrades allowed, surely?
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On another rambling VAT fuelled tangent.......
A good friend of mine had the same accident happen to him on the same road on the same section of road in 2 completely different cars on 2 separate occasions.
He was (each time) on the A14 heading West when a split-wheel from an oncoming Articulated lorry coming the other-way on the other carriageway broke free and "bounced" down the road and across the central reservation.
First-time..... the wheel landed on the bonnet of his (Vauxhall Calibra car and bounced on, over his head.
Second time...... it took the whole front offside wing off his company Mercedes.
Given the weight & size of an artic's trailer wheels and the "closing speeds" involved he considers himself a really lucky man.

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DanClarke said:

I should imagine that the police will be taking a long hard look at the vehicle concerned in this awful accident as will the owners insurance company in order that they can find a way to deny any claims and pass the liability back to the owner/driver.
None of that helps the poor little girl nor her family.
I can understand that any major modification that alters the characteristics or safety of a vehicle really should be declared (and rightly so) in order to make sure the insurance cover "sticks" and is not withdrawn; but where does that stop?
He fitted non-manufacturer parts, so it is modified?
He fitted a different light-bulb/LED light, so its modified...no cover?
He removed the mid-box....so its modified...no cover?
There has to be some sensible upgrades allowed, surely?
========================================================================================
On another rambling VAT fuelled tangent.......
A good friend of mine had the same accident happen to him on the same road on the same section of road in 2 completely different cars on 2 separate occasions.
He was (each time) on the A14 heading West when a split-wheel from an oncoming Articulated lorry coming the other-way on the other carriageway broke free and "bounced" down the road and across the central reservation.
First-time..... the wheel landed on the bonnet of his (Vauxhall Calibra car and bounced on, over his head.
Second time...... it took the whole front offside wing off his company Mercedes.
Given the weight & size of an artic's trailer wheels and the "closing speeds" involved he considers himself a really lucky man.

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dieseldog69 said:

I am a believer in being honest with the insurance company regards mods, declare them and pay the extra, this will be the day that you never want to have happen but in the event that it does, you can better have your house in order and be squeaky clean to deny the insurance company the opportunity to invalidate your policy.

A14 is/was a god awful road for rattling the wheels loose, drive it often enough and it'll smash your fillings out too.

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norseman said:

Just picked up on this thread, such dreadful news. Has anyone local to the incident got an update on the poor child's condition ?
My heart goes out to her family.
nb: please don't let it be caused by another ill-conceived 'modification'

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brian47 said:

My thoughts are with the family of Amelia Wood.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-43331639

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Dippypud said:

Horse trailer today, wheel left the vehicle and jumped the hedge ...

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Turboman said:

That looks like a standard-ish set-up. Must be badly tightened wheel nuts.

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Dippypud said:

Apparently so ...

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Turboman said:

Pretty poor, after the events of yesterday.

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Dippypud said:

I thought the accident happened much earlier in the week, Mon or Tues ?

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Kat67 said:

I recently purchased a set of wheel nut pointers.. they are plastic points, fit under each nut with arrows pointing each other. If a nut comes loose you can see, because the pointer moves.. thay use them on lorry’s and hgv vehicles..

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Turboman said:

It always surprises me to see people modify in an extreme way that makes their vehicles less safe, and less usable.
In some countries, there are type approval regs that prevent any modifications.
I think that is a bit extreme, but I also think the situation here is a bit too lax.
It seems the government are moving on it, as historic vehicles now have to be more or less standard in order to qualify for free tax and no MOT.

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wattfield said:

You should, but I had to point out another driver's completely flat tyre recently. He hadn't noticed either!

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brian47 said:

Yep! I even declared my two driving lamps on the front. They accepted that they weren't a performance mod so it didn't cost extra, but they are now covered on the policy as a part of the vehicle should they be damaged or stolen.

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lynall said:

I think they have changed the regs again and basically the owner can self declare its all pukka and std for the free mot and tax.

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