This story appeared in the Mail Online a few days ago. Someone has set up a left-hand driving school on the strength of the “revelation” that…
…more than a quarter of holidaymakers are afraid to drive abroad.
Unless their entire client base consists of authentic Chelsea tractor drivers, I’ll give it 6 months before it goes under (although it is a free course which is being funded from somewhere, so it might survive just a little longer). The article also identifies the “Top 5 Fears When Driving Abroad”:
- Not recognising road signs
- Getting lost
- Going around roundabouts
- Trying to navigate
- Driving on the other side of road
Errm, well actually, with the possible exception of #5 (and not even then in some cases), that’s exactly the same list most would give if asked about driving on British roads. So it’s hardly the basis for a business plan. If people are too stupid to look up the necessary details about road signs and procedures for the country they intend to visit before they go, it’s going to take a little more than a free course to sort them out.
Of course, it helps if you realise that the company behind it – SkyScanner – describes itself as follows in its “About us” section:
…a leading global travel search site, providing instant online comparisons for millions of flights, as well as car hire and hotels.
It’s not quite as altruistic as it first appears, is it? It’s not even a “school” – it’s a course (with an unspecified number of classes), which is apparently being delivered by driving instructors who have “teamed up with” (i.e. they must be getting paid) SkyScanner to deliver the “free” course. That’s a convoluted way of saying that it is a novel advertising exercise. I mean, there’s no problem with it, but you shouldn’t turn it into something it isn’t.
I can’t imagine there’d be much opportunity for practical sessions, either.