Member Article

MP’s Call For Learner Drivers To be Protected From Predatory Instructors Welcomed By Drive Dynamics

An MP’s call for learner drivers to be protected from predatory driving instructors has been welcomed by the owner of a West Yorkshire driving school – who was herself the victim of unwanted advances from her instructor!

Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, made the plea at Prime Minister’s Questions after being contacted by a constituent concerned about his 17-year-old daughter’s “relationship” with her middle-aged tutor.

Mr MP told The Commons that driving instructors, whose work meant they were in a position of trust, should be covered by the same rules as teachers. In reply, Prime Minister Theresa May said she would ask the appropriate department to investigate.

Beverley Midgley, who runs Drighlington-based Drive Dynamics, said: “I’m fully supportive of Mr Graham’s comments and I hope whoever the Prime Minister instructs to look into this matter doesn’t ‘park it on the hard shoulder’!

“One of the main reasons I started an all-female driving school was due to an instructor who taught me to drive. He made inappropriate comments and made me feel very uncomfortable and frightened as a young woman.

“The key issue is that the pupil entrusts their physical safety to their instructor. And, because pupils and instructors are in a confined space inside a car, they must trust and feel comfortable with their instructor.

“From my experience there is a lot to be done to focus upon the personal safety of pupils.

“We are currently working on a personal safety feature for pupils here at Drive Dynamics, which will extend beyond lessons to protect women who drive alone.

“It’s important to add that we vet all our instructors before they work for us, and we are always looking to boost our team of female instructors as demand often outstrips supply.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Watts .