Duke of Edinburgh’s Road Accident

[SirGawain]

AIBU to ask why on earth is the Duke of Edinburgh driving at the age of 97.

And also not wearing a seatbelt after a significant accident actually shows some sort of denial or mental instability.

Whoever the fault, you've had a significant accident, he doesn't think "I'd better be careful, slow down, take care, wear a seat belt" no he puts two fingers up to everyone and says I'll do as I damn well like. No one will stop me.

He's a belligerent old fool.

@Bluelady

to be clear, you don't think there should be a law about wearing seatbelts?

It's quite a leap to think I was saying that. The seatbelt law is obviously sensible but you harm nobody but yourself if you don't wear one. We don't even know if he was driving on a public road.

@Bluelady I would disagree, without being too graphic a body being flung at force through a windscreen could cause harm or a car to swerve and cause a further accident?

@Bluelady

I was just wondering if you would defend someone else who wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

@Grace212 I asked that earlier and @Bluelady has not responded, I also asked what example it set.....

I am also ROFL at Norfolk police saying they won't be showing any favouritism ...........

It’s all a bit distasteful.

I'm not defending his not wearing a seatbelt. And I really don't think anyone believes he sets an example or that anyone emulates him.

The seatbelt law is obviously sensible but you harm nobody but yourself if you don't wear one

Not true. You harm the other passengers in your car when you're flung into them and smash your head into theirs, or when you fly out through the windscreen and die, and the person in the other car you had an accident with needs to have the guilt of someone's death on their conscience for the rest of their life, even if it wasn't their fault.

He's a selfish git.

It’s uncomfortable not to wear a seatbelt, anyway. Who wouldn’t want to be comfortable, as well as safe?

@Bluelady but you are saying it doesn't harm others .... it can?

And also not wearing a seatbelt after a significant accident actually shows some sort of denial or mental instability

Or he’s been given a temporary exemption on medical grounds

@Bluelady

you said "But I get really cross with all the republican nonsense spouted here"

so combined with that , I just wondered if you were defending DofE or anyone who chooses not to wear a seatbelt.

All the LOLZ at being sad at him losing his independence if he can no longer drive. He's got an army of lackeys to drive him around.

Much as I disagree with him driving I can see why he wants to - the protection officers are apparently in a car behind and so going out for a drive is probably the only time he is out alone so it's a big loss of independence for him.

@ExFury really does that happen? Is that sensible given he has a number of drivers? So risk his life and others and not have a driver because why? Because his being a belligerent fool?

Just why would HRH The Duke with £££££££ and options not just be driven?

That's a really poor argument!

Pressed send to soon.... if he's got a temporary medical note to not wear a seatbelt, would it not be a case of "ice had a significant accident, I realise accidents happen, I'll wait until the all clear on wearing my seat belt. After all it's better safe than sorry"

@Grace212, as I said, quite a leap.

And I really don't think anyone believes he sets an example or that anyone emulates him.

That's not the point. By going out for a drive, without a seatbelt, two days after being involved in an accident that totalled two cars he is acting like he is above the law.

Regardless of your feelings on monarchy you must be able to see why people are annoyed?

He is a ROYAL.

He has no need to drive, he isn't some lost widower clinging on to their aging independance who needs to get out to get his shopping.

They have staff - and paid police to protect them, he decided to go off and drive ( without police protection - hence them following in another car ).

Self entitled prick sums it up.

I do wish people would RTFT. My point about him setting an example was a response to a question put to me by a pp.

This is why people are so negative about the royal family. They have no idea about real life and how the average person gets through life. I hope. It was his fault he pulled out into the path of an oncoming vehicle that could not react fast enough. If the other car was speeding the other witnesses would have said about it and the press would quickly of been informed. But what we saw was the palace air brushers trying to do that air brushing it all over. But the press were quickly on the case. And I didn't like how there was no news about the other vehicle. In no way would you get away with a crash like that and described it as a minor accident. Let's not see them ignoring the law and see him facing if proved to blame what a joe on the street would face.

And he was on a public road without a seatbelt by the way.

The Telegraph focused on the fact that he was turning into Sandringham, which is private land, and not the fact he had been on a public road 2 minutes beforehand

t’s uncomfortable not to wear a seatbelt, anyway. Who wouldn’t want to be comfortable, as well as safe?

It's only uncomfortable because regular wearers are so used to it that it's like forgetting to put your watch on. Maybe he habitually doesn't wear one. I wonder if he wears one when in a car with police protection officers?

I again disagree @Bluelady he does and should set an example.....he is after all a senior royal?

Surely more people not me would look up to him? People that would line the streets for Royal events? Some people do have a very blinkered "the royals do o wrong attitude" when time after time they do? These people will see him as an good example.