BBC Breakfast host says it’s a ‘terrible tragedy’ as they announce heartbreaking loss

BBC Breakfast took an emotional turn on Wednesday.

Jon Kay and Sally Nugent hosted the programme (Image: BBC screengrab)

BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent said it was a “terrible tragedy” as she spoke to a grieving mum whose daughter was killed in a car accident.

Sharon Huddleston, whose 18-year-old daughter Caitlin was killed in a car crash in 2017, was a guest on the BBC show on Wednesday morning (January 7). She explained that a coroner had said driver inexperience was behind Caitlin’s death, and so is now campaigning for graduated driving licences.

Presenter Sally explained: “Learner drivers in England and Wales could face a mandatory wait of up to six months between sitting their theory and practical tests as part of a new road safety strategy being launched by the government today.”

Her co-host Jon Kay added: “While some campaign groups have welcomed these proposals, others have criticised the government for stopping short of introducing what are called graduated driving licences, which is where newly qualified drivers face restrictions until they’ve got a bit more experience.”

Sharon said: “Well, it’s great that we’ve got a road safety strategy because it’s been 14 years since we’ve had one, so that’s good news. And it’s also good news that young drivers are being addressed in the strategy, but I don’t think it goes far enough. I understand that the limited period for learner drivers is a good thing because we’re seeing like 17-year-olds pass the test within a few weeks, and then they’re on the roads.

Sharon Huddleston appeared on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC screengrab)

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“But the element I am passionate about because of the reason why my daughter was killed is that she was a passenger in a newly qualified driver’s car, and the coroner put the crash down to the inexperience of the newly qualified driver.

“And so the element that I am passionate about, the graduated driving licence, is the passenger safety precaution, and that’s the element that I would have liked to have seen addressed in the strategy as well.”

Jon said: “There’s lots in this strategy, isn’t there, for all drivers potentially of all ages, but as far as young drivers are concerned, what it’s saying then is that you would have to, if you pass your theory test, you’re going to have to wait six months to get more practice before you take the practical test. But what you would like to see is a delay in what you can do after the test, after the practical test as well.”

Sharon Huddleston’s daughter died in 2017 (Image: BBC screengrab)

Sharon went on to say that it was “a very positive thing” that the issue was being looked at, but added that “we need more.”

“It doesn’t go far enough for us,” she said. “And as I say, if this element of the safety precaution of passengers was in place in 2017, my daughter would be alive.

“You know, and this law has been campaigned for for decades now. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about it until after Caitlin was killed. It was too late.”

Sally added: “And it’s really important to make the point that, as you’ve mentioned already, the coroner said it was inexperience. That’s really key, isn’t it? It was simple inexperience that contributed to this terrible tragedy.”