Overview
- Sam Gardiner, 24, who appeared on BBC’s Race Across the World, died after his VW Golf R left the A34 near Cheadle in heavy rain in May.
- An inquest found insufficient tyre tread, wet conditions with standing water, and driving too fast for the conditions all contributed to the collision.
- Witnesses described overtaking and undertaking in poor visibility, while police reported blocked drainage, no road defects, and no CCTV or dashcam footage.
- Speaking on BBC Breakfast on November 28, Jo Gardiner urged regular tread checks and campaigner Sophie Lyden explained the ‘20p test’ as a simple guide to the 1.6mm legal minimum.
- Jo said they relied on the annual MOT and a pressure gauge but did not monitor tread depth, and a memorial JustGiving page for Foetal Alcohol Effects has raised over £28,000.