A Cardiff teenager who wrote off his parents' car just eight hours after passing his driving test hopes other young drivers will learn from his mistake.
17-year-old Tom Martin took four friends out for a victory lap on the evening of 25th January, after passing his test at the first attempt that lunchtime.
Travelling at some speed and on wet roads, he lost control the of family Peugeot on a blind bend. The car hit a kerb and span round. Neither Tom, nor any of his passengers were hurt in the crash, but the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.
"My life flashed before me," he said, "I was more upset than anything else as well because it was my mum's car, but I realise it could have been much worse.
"My friends were fine. I realise now the people in my car are my responsibility; when I crashed I didn't realise that."
The crash has had a major impact on Tom's young driver car insurance premium. One agency offered him a car insurance quote of £4,000 for a policy in his name.
Tom is doing everything he can to get that car insurance quote back to a sensible figure.
After a two month break from driving he enrolled in Pass Plus Cymru. Under the scheme, students spend a whole day driving about with an instructor, identifying hazards and getting more practice behind the wheel in a controlled, safe environment.
Pass Plus Cymru is well worth the £40 enrolment fee, as drivers who have completed the course benefit from the experience and save a substantial amount on their motor insurance premiums.