Thu, 04 Dec 2025

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 A speeding driver killed my parents - there needs to be a cultural change

Claire Corker wants cultural change on road safety after her parents were killed by a speeding driver.
Claire Corkery received a call from a policeman while out celebrating her friend's engagement, informing her that her parents had been killed in a car accident. Her parents, Sue and Tom, were walking on a country road with their dog when they were hit by a speeding driver. The driver, Scott Gunn, was later found guilty of death by dangerous driving and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Gunn's car had reached speeds of up to 87mph before the crash. Claire believes that a "cultural change" is needed around speeding, which is the most common factor recorded in fatal collisions in Great Britain. Claire's parents were killed in January 2024. They had been walking on Thurnham Lane in Kent when they were hit by Gunn's car. More than 300 people attended their funeral. The police investigation revealed that Gunn had denied causing death by dangerous driving, but was found guilty following a trial. Claire described the sentence as bringing "a sense of relief", but also acknowledged the ongoing pain she feels. Claire became a mother earlier this year and said it has been difficult without her parents' support. She believes they would have made great grandparents. According to official statistics, speed is the most common factor recorded in fatal collisions in Great Britain. In 2024, 1,600 fatalities were reported in road collisions in England, Scotland, and Wales. Nicholas Lyes from the road safety charity I AM Roadsmart described the death of Claire's parents as an example of serious speeding and dangerous driving. He called for investment to make rural roads safer. A Department for Transport spokesperson said that they are committed to reducing deaths and injuries on the roads and will publish a new road safety strategy by the end of the year. Claire believes that people need to think carefully about how they drive and that there needs to be a cultural change in how speeding is viewed. She wants her story to make people aware of the dangers of speeding and the impact it can have on others. A Kent Police spokesperson urged motorists to observe the highway code, particularly in poor weather conditions.
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