The Clarkson Defense - Man blames Top Gear for fatal accident
We can see it now: The Clarkson defense. An Australian man, mistaking the TV show Top Gear for proper driver training and experience, got his 4x4 into an oscillating mess while pulling a trailer and crashed. (Image above is of an art installation outside Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, not the actual accident. Just thought we should clear that up.) The accident unfortunately claimed the life of the man's 85-year-old passenger, and while it's been deemed an accidental death, Richard Browne's justification for his actions is a head-scratcher. "Top Gear... always say to put the accelerator down and get out of it, the worst thing you can do is brake," Browne explained, missing the point that driving dynamics and techniques are rather different when towing. After all, a vehicle that's being wagged by its trailer is an altogether different animal than hanging the tail out when exiting a fast sweeper. Apparently, however, stupid is universal.
[Source: News.com.au, photo by Nil :) | CC 2.0]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bill 12:17PM (12/18/2008)
What I want to know is how did a Fiat Uno make it to these shores?
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Brick 12:05PM (12/18/2008)
He must be referring to the episode where they went camping. They brought a trailer with them (which they later set on fire). There was a discussion in the car about what to do when the trailer starts to wiggle, and they said they weren't sure, but thought they should just power out of it.
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astana 12:07PM (12/18/2008)
yes the were reading in a handbook of caravan towing or something, which said to slow down gradually til it was under control and they disagreed saying to power out of it.
Concerned Citizen 12:13PM (12/18/2008)
That is indeed what they said. And then they all laughed. They also crashed the caravan and later set it on fire.
I'm not sure which is sadder; this story or the fact that an Autoblog writer is that unfamiliar with Top Gear
Kattleox 2:20PM (12/18/2008)
I like to think that it is sadder that a moron killed an 85 year old man and is blaming it on a TV show. It's like jamming a wooden peg through a woodchuck and claiming, "But a woodchuck would chuck all the wood he could chuck... or at least that's what my kindergarten teacher said. Incarcerate her instead!"
Michael 12:08PM (12/18/2008)
People will do anything to avoid taking responsibility for their stupidity.
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jamey 12:31PM (12/18/2008)
In his defense he really might have thought he was doing the right thing. When I told my younger brother he could touch the stove, and that it wasn't hot, I got in trouble not him.
Granted before he tows something he probably should have checked with few other parties first to make sure he knew what he was doing.
Jon 12:09PM (12/18/2008)
You've gotta be kidding me. Take some personal responsibility you idiot. I feel no sympathy for this guy.
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3seriesisking 12:19PM (12/18/2008)
Really...what a dumb ass.
eb110americana 12:11PM (12/18/2008)
Yes, as I recall, they WERE talking specifically about pulling a trailer. I also recall reading or watching something similar from another reputable automotive resource, so I do believe this is the correct procedure.
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Dave in MI 12:19PM (12/18/2008)
Power helps if you lock up the trailer brakes and pull it tight. You don't leave your foot in it though.
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Ted Y 12:26PM (12/18/2008)
Dave in MI: Yup, been there done that. Although, even without trailer brakes, I think you need to maintain some power until the trailer settles, then slow down.
Bisty 4:05PM (12/18/2008)
There is no such thing as the "Chicago Art Museum". That exhibit was outside the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago. There are many art museums in Chicago.
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la 12:26PM (12/18/2008)
IF you have the power, it is possible to accelerate out of the death waggle. It is better, of course, to just assume a fetal position with the vehicle in neutral, and let it end up where it may --- or load the trailer correctly and avoid the situation.
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Samurai Jack 12:46PM (12/18/2008)
And this is why NBC decided against Top Gear America. In the US it would be a lawsuit waiting to happen.
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Michael 12:59PM (12/18/2008)
Unfortunately, that's true.
Mobius_1 12:52PM (12/18/2008)
WTF. Maybe Top Gear needs a /sarcasm tag.
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Jimmy 1:04PM (12/18/2008)
They weren't being sarcastic at all, it was actually a serious Top Gear moment when they were demonstrating their "superior driving knowledge." They matter of factly stated that the manual for towing was wrong and that if you start to snake you're supposed to use the throttle to make it stop. If that's what this guy was attempting to do then I'd say he's not dumb at all cause after watching that episode I would've done the same thing as I'm sure most people here who saw that episode would.
Mobius_1 1:05PM (12/18/2008)
sorry, I meant /entertainment from 3 somewhat incompetent people who are not very good at caravaning tag
why not the LS2LS7? 1:31PM (12/18/2008)
Are you kidding me? If in a potential injury situation I would NEVER think back "what would Top Gear do?".
It's not a factual show. They are doing this stuff to show off. If you take their words as gospel, you'll probably find yourself in a lot of trouble.