MOTORISTS need to learn how dangerous their cars can be, according to a Bolton driving expert.

Hugh German, from the Bolton and District Group of Advanced Motorists, has spoken out after two drivers, responsible for a horrific crash in St Helens Road, Daubhill, on Sunday, July 22, were jailed.

A man and a boy were seriously injured in the crash.

Banned driver Mohammed Patel, aged 20, of Leach Street, Great Lever, was jailed for three years and 10 months after admitting two counts of causing injury by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice and driving while disqualified.

Second driver Furqaan Mohmed, aged 21, a former police employee, admitted two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving was jailed for two years and eight months.

Mr German said: “Patel was already banned from driving and then behaved like that. There is just no sense of responsibility at all.

“People don’t seem to have any perception of the consequences bad driving can have.

“The crash has changed the 12-year-old boy’s life completely and the other victim’s life, and all of their families’ lives.

“I do hope that the only possible good thing from this incident is that the drivers will learn from this, due to the impact it has had on the community.”

The men’s dangerous driving resulted in Raheem Hussain, aged 12, and Saleem Mogradia, aged 51, being seriously injured.

The drivers’ friend, Mohammed Vohra, of Mancroft Avenue, Daubhill, avoided an immediate jail term after admitting perverting the course of justice by lying to police, claiming he was the driver of Patel’s car.

Mr German called for parents to encourage their children to take the Institute of Advanced Motorist’s advanced driving course, which promotes safer driving.

He said: “Some courses such as ‘pass plus’ sessions don’t have any test and you just need to take the lessons. There is no test to see that the driver has gained from it. If you want to improve your driving, you need to do a course where there is a test at the end of it.”

He called for changes to be made to ensure better driving on the roads.

Mr German believes introducing more frequent testing for drivers who have passed their test would reduce the amount of issues.

l People keen on improving their driving can attend the group’s advanced course which will start at Bolton Arena tomorrow at 9.45am. Call Annette Gamble on 0161 797 1084 for information. Or call Gary Whittle for a free test drive on 01204 848449.