TOP Gear's Jeremy Clarkson is under fire from road safety campaigners and politicians who claim he sent out an `irresponsible' message that speed does not kill.
He is accused of glamorising speeding in comments about co-presenter Richard Hammond's dragster crash.
Dramatic footage of Hammond's 288mph accident was shown for the first time on Sunday night's Top Gear.
Aired on the first show of the new series, it revealed the 36-year-old's incredible escape when he crashed while filming a stunt for the programme in September. Dianne Ferreira, of road safety charity Brake, said: "Jeremy Clarkson said on the programme `speed kills' and then pointed at Richard Hammond as if to say `speed doesn't kill'.
"This glamorised speeding. The programme is watched by impressionable young people who are easily influenced and irresponsible remarks like that could tempt them to speed."
The Scottish Green Party joined the attack, demanding Clarkson publicly apologise for the comments and accusing him of `childish arrogance'.
Party leader Robin Harper MSP said: "Jeremy Clarkson should publicly say sorry. The glamorisation of driving at high speeds is unacceptable."
Mr Harper was speaking after a weekend of carnage on Scotland's roads claimed the lives of at least 14 people.
'Conclusions'
A BBC spokesman said: "Jeremy Clarkson did not say it was untrue that `speed kills'. On the contrary, he made the statement without qualification, and allowed viewers to draw their own conclusions from an item which could not have been a clearer illustration of the dangers as well as the excitements of speed.
"The laughter shown was a true reflection of the atmosphere at the studio recording, where the audience were determined to celebrate Richard's strength and survival, in keeping with the spirit of the programme."
But Brake was not appeased by the response. The charity is planning to compile examples of any irresponsible content from Top Gear to present to the newly-formed BBC Trust, which represents the interests of the licence fee-paying public.
Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, said: "Clarkson's comment was highly irresponsible and offensive to anyone who has been bereaved or injured at the hands of a speeding driver."
The charity said that in 2005 speeding was a factor in nearly a third of fatal crashes in Britain.
DO you think Jeremy Clarkson is guilty of glamourising speeding? Have your say.
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Marcus Warburton, Sheffield (30/01/2007 at 11:27)
Dan, South Reddish (30/01/2007 at 11:30)
Batfink, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:31)
cheesesliceking, Leeds UK (30/01/2007 at 11:41)
Neil D, Sutton, Surrey (30/01/2007 at 11:49)
Err, so by their own admission, in the vast majority of fatal crashes speed was NOT the cause?
RC, uk (30/01/2007 at 11:51)
Some people will complain about anything.
C Blackmore, Melksham (30/01/2007 at 11:53)
No. I think he is an amusing entertainer, whom no sensible person would regard as a role model.
These prissy single issue campaigners get so awfully het up about trivia, but where are they when important matters are discussed?
Ace Riley, manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:56)
Lindsey Harris, Colchester (30/01/2007 at 11:56)
If people are stupid enough that they would go out and speed because Jeremy made a joke then they aren't responsible enough to drive in the first place.
All I ever hear are these people picking on every word he says, leave him alone and find something more important to worry about I say.
Jennifer, Aberdenn (30/01/2007 at 12:08)
Antony Gray, Glasgow (30/01/2007 at 12:08)
Chris, Hants, UK (30/01/2007 at 12:10)
It was a tongue in cheek poke at the fact that "speed kills" unless your name is "Hamster".
All parties concerned showed relief that we still have our "Hammy" and we all know how lucky he is.
When you conisder Dale Earnhart broke his neck and died when his car was doing no more than 35mph at the point of impact, surviving a 288mph crash in a jet car is incredulous.
Mrs V Angry, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 12:20)
Andy Jackson, Italy (30/01/2007 at 12:21)
Jeffrey T, Birmingham (30/01/2007 at 12:41)
Phil Speekel, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 12:44)
Tony, Denton (30/01/2007 at 12:47)
Roy Rollason, Thanet (30/01/2007 at 12:53)
Barry, Ireland (30/01/2007 at 12:56)
Blue Chris, Sharston (30/01/2007 at 12:57)
David Cadey, Chichester (30/01/2007 at 12:59)
Millsy, Newcastle (30/01/2007 at 13:05)
Chris, Yorkshire (30/01/2007 at 13:06)
the dangers of speed are only realised when the forces of acceleration/deceleration come into play.
Speed is dangerous because coming to a stop is, or hitting someone else.
I don't believe the show glamorises speed - it glamorises human achievement in engineering.
If people are worried about impressionable young males - then it's not the fault of the show, it's the fault of our civilisation that produces those who are so irresponsible that they will take speed into a public place.
Rob, Leeds (30/01/2007 at 13:06)
As for the Government's slogan 'Speed Kills', I recently observed a relatively low speed accident and was appalled that the lorry driver was trapped in his cab and looked in a serious condition. I only hope he is well.
The problem is that the driving test is desperately out of date and doesn't teach common sense. worse still, there are no current legislations for motorway use-you pass your test and and are allowed to travel at higher speeds than those used to when learning.
Unfortunately, I drive many motorway miles and even at the relatively inexperienced age of 32 (have been driving since 17-legally!) I am amazed at the total ignorance of any lane discipline. The worst however, is when everyone slams on to look at an accident at the side of the motorway.
We as responsible motorists are constantly been attacked and our pockets raped and pillaged by a government who try to paper over the cracks rather than repair them. It's time the do-gooders start to channel their wasted energy into issues which do affect us all, not just a minority.
20 year old view, MC (30/01/2007 at 13:08)