Learner Driver Crash Horror! Electric BMW Ends Up on Ridgewood Front Lawn—A Stark Warning for New Drivers
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ – An eventful Sunday afternoon in Ridgewood saw a fully electric BMW SUV veer off the road and crash directly onto the front lawn of a single-family home. The incident, which occurred at the busy intersection of Godwin Avenue and Lincoln Avenue on Sunday, October 19, involved a driver operating under the supervision of a parent with a New Jersey learner’s permit.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported to the occupants of the vehicle or any residents, despite the severity of the collision that left the luxury SUV disabled on the residential property.
Details of the Incident
The crash took place in the early afternoon, prompting a rapid response from both the Ridgewood Police Department and Ridgewood Fire Department (FMBA Local 47).
While the exact cause of the driver losing control is under investigation, the incident highlights the unique challenges faced by new drivers, especially when handling modern vehicles. The car involved was a fully electric BMW SUV, which often features instant torque delivery and advanced controls—factors that can be challenging for inexperienced drivers to manage.
A flatbed tow truck was required to safely remove the heavily damaged vehicle from the scene, as the car had clearly left the roadway and struck the landscaping.
A Lesson in Permit Driving Safety
In New Jersey, a learner’s permit comes with strict rules designed to ensure safety during the supervised driving phase. Key regulations include:
- Supervision: The permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed adult (age 21 or older) who has at least three years of driving experience. The driver in this incident was reportedly operating the vehicle under the direct supervision of a parent, fulfilling this requirement.
- Curfew & Passengers: Restrictions are also placed on driving hours and the number of passengers, though these were not cited as factors in the crash.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder to all Bergen County residents and new drivers about the importance of caution, focus, and adhering to the rules of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. Even with adult supervision, a lack of experience can lead to serious accidents and costly property damage.
The Ridgewood Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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I don’t know that I would want to start a new learner with an EV.
It takes a bit of time to get them used to the hesitation torque on ICE vehicle, and the effect of a vehicle with instant torque just compounds the problem.
Another factor is the “tendency” of new drivers to experience the initial acceleration (remember the term “jackrabbit starts” from your initial driver training classes?)