A UK driving instructor named Chris was directing a learner onto the M1(s) at Junction 28 in Nottinghamshire, England. They were heading back from Sutton-in-Ashfield to Nottingham and the learner had never been on a motorway before.

The instructor explained: "Since June 2018, learner drivers have been permitted to use motorways in the UK. Since this change in legislation I have made an effort to train all of my learner drivers on the motorway, equipping them for real-life driving instead of limiting them to merely passing the driving test".

On that day, on the slip road, the learner built up speed confidently, reaching 60mph ."This was more than adequate as there was little traffic as we approached", said Chris.

A Kia in lane one moved out to lane two, allowing their car space to merge in. However the car behind, a red Mercedes SLK200, decided to accelerate from on the slip road behind them to overtake through the narrowing space in lane one.

As the Mercedes accelerated into the gap, the driver lost control, and the Mercedes began to spin, swerving towards the Peugeot.

Chris said: "The Mercedes hit the front quarter of my Peugeot 2008 with such an impact that the suspension collapsed and the car was pushed across the hard shoulder. With my learner and I unable to correct the skid due to the force of the impact, my Peugoet struck the motorway barriers at approximately 60mph. The front wheel was almost entirely severed from the car, with only the brake line remaining intact. The damage was so extensive the car was deemed a total loss, however no notable injuries were recorded at the scene".

Since June 2018, learner drivers have been permitted to use motorways in the Uk. This comes with two conditions;
1) the learner is supervised by a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor
2) the vehicle is equipped with dual controls

Since this change in legislation I have made an effort to train all of my learner drivers on the motorway, equipping them for real-life driving instead of limiting them to merely passing the driving test.

On 7th May 2021, I was directing a learner driver onto the M1(s) at Junction 28. We were heading back from Sutton-in-Ashfield to Nottingham and the learner had never been on a motorway before.

On the slip road the learner built up speed confidently, reaching 60mph before the end of the slip road - this was more than adequate as there was little traffic as we approached. A Kia in lane one moved out to lane two, allowing us space to merge in. However the car behind, a red Mercedes SLK200, decided to accelerate from on the slip road behind us, to overtake through the narrowing space in lane one.

As the Mercedes accelerated into the gap, the driver lost control and the Mercedes began to spin, swerving towards my Peugeot. The Mercedes hit the front quarter of my Peugeot 2008 with such an impact that the suspension collapsed and the car was pushed across the hard shoulder. With my learner and I unable to correct the skid due to the force of the impact, my Peugoet struck the motorway barriers at approximately 60mph.

The front wheel was almost entirely severed from the car, with only the brake line remaining intact. The damage was so extensive the car was deemed a total loss, however no notable injuries were recorded at the scene.