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There were no faults with either vehicle, and the road was in good condition, though he noted the change in road surface from sealed to unsealed.<\/p>\n
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Excessive speed was considered a factor, as although Butler had not been travelling excessively over the speed limit for the road, \u201cit was excessive under the circumstances given the type of road\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Police hypothesised that, after actively fleeing from forestry security immediately beforehand, Butler believed the oncoming vehicle was another security patrol.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis perception likely influenced him to continue driving at high speed. Driving at speed with reduced visibility in the enclosed forestry environment led to a misjudgement of the roadway ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Coroner Telford said the young man\u2019s death highlights \u201cyet again, the serious risks associated with young and inexperienced drivers operating motor vehicles on public roads without a licence\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\u201cLearner drivers lack the training, experience and judgement that develops over time, particularly when confronted with unexpected or high-stress situations,\u201d Coroner Telford said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt is for these reasons their driving must be supervised until they have been assessed as competent to drive alone. Obtaining a full licence is not a meagre technicality.\u201d<\/p>\n
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He said in Butler\u2019s case, this already unacceptable level of risk was further compounded by the decision to flee from security staff and continue driving at speed.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn these circumstances, judgment can rapidly deteriorate, leading to poor decision-making and an inability to accurately assess road conditions, other road users or safe speeds,\u201d Coroner Telford said.<\/p>\n
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\nThe coroner said this case also drew attention to the dangers of driving after consuming drugs, noting that toxicology confirmed Butler had cannabis in his system.
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\u201cThis substance is known to impair perception, reaction time and decision-making.<\/p>\n
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\u201cEven if the precise level of impairment cannot be determined, the presence of cannabis is concerning when combined with inexperience, speed and a complex driving environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Coroner Telford said he reiterated the importance of clear public messaging that public roads were not appropriate places for \u201cunlicensed or impaired driving under any circumstances\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYoung people, in particular, must understand that combining inexperience, drugs, speed and poor visibility is a lethal mix,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cJacob\u2019s death was preventable, and it underscores the need for continued education and vigilance around driver licensing requirements, drug-impaired driving and responsible decision-making.\u201d<\/p>\n
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He concluded his findings by offering his \u201csincere condolences to Jacob\u2019s family and friends\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Hannah\u00a0Bartlett\u00a0is a Tauranga-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She previously covered court and local government for the\u00a0Nelson Mail, and before that was a radio reporter at Newstalk ZB.<\/p>\n
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