This story has been covered by much of the media this week – in print, online, and on radio. It deals with the issues surrounding supervising learner drivers – e.g. when their parents or spouses take them out.
The AA is suggesting that supervising drivers are risking breaking the law – even jail – because they don’t know the rules. They surveyed around 19,000 people and the results show that:
- around 25% didn’t know you can’t use a mobile when supervising a learner
- around 10% didn’t know you mustn’t fall asleep
- some didn’t know that you mustn’t drink
- some didn’t know that you mustn’t send texts
- around 15% didn’t know that you must wear glasses if you normally need them
The report goes on to say that 4% of supervisors admitted to breaking at least one of these rules (or 22% if the supervisor was in the 21-24 age group).
The president of the AA, Edmund King, said the issue was highlighted by a case in which a person who was supposed to be supervising was over the drink-drive limit.
“This is where the legal point is quite serious because you are actually deemed to be in control of the car, even when you’re supervising. And in fact there has been a case where tragically the learner driver actually had a crash, two people died and the supervisor was actually deemed responsible and actually went to jail.”
The AA has also launched a new course for parents and supervising drivers – it’s called Supporting Learner Drivers. Obviously this media coverage is timed to coincide with and promote the course, but unless you’re one of the hardcore cynics who can’t see the wood for the leaves this doesn’t really make much difference. The BBC report continues:
Road safety charity Brake said it wanted to see the minimum age for accompanying drivers raised to at least 25.
Katie Shephard from the charity said: “It is vital that learner drivers gain suitable supervised experience behind the wheel, to ensure their safety and the safety of other road users. Accompanying drivers should also be registered as ‘approved accompanying drivers’ by completing a questionnaire to prove their suitability, which could be checked by their insurer.”
RoSPA has also echoed those sentiments:
Duncan Vernon, road safety manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said there was “no doubt” those who supervised learner drivers would benefit from being given more information about how best to teach.
“All-round good practice should involve better co-ordination with approved driving instructors, as well-planned private practice can be invaluable,” he said.
I’m not completely certain what the AA’s course involves, other than what’s on their website, but I’ve been taking parents or husbands/wives out for years. It makes perfect sense – there’s nothing worse than teaching a new driver something only to have them come back a few weeks later with a load of bad habits (or ones that conflict with what I’ve been teaching them), and “my dad said…”
If nothing else, the fact that “dad” can meet you prevents an us and them situation developing behind the scenes.