Newslink December

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Life must go on – and can do if you keep up
with the Statutory Regulations
Russell Jones
MSA East Midlands
When, in early November, the
Government announced adherence to
Covid-19 Law would become ‘de rigueur’
for 28 days, for me it was a case of ‘Oh
dear...’ but not entirely unexpected.
It was tiresome to have to replan my
activities but, as I volunteered for my day
job, I just had to get to grips with it, no
time to whinge. The phone calls to
learners and their parents to advise them
of the restrictions were quickly completed.
The media was full of reports about
how another lockdown would have
serious implications on the mental health
of millions of people, however I felt that
it would not affect me personally. Big
mistake! Within days, ADIs seemed to be
in the forefront of complaining through
the media, blighting my breakfast and
almost provoking a rage whereby I
wanted to tear my newspaper to shreds.
Such bleating by mature (?)
professionals was embarrassing and
downright pathetic. It was obvious they
had not studied the Regulations, yet
numerous sensible ADIs had read it from
the first printed word to the last, to get a
thorough understanding of the implications.
I felt the miscreants were showing the
ADI profession in a very poor light.
Let’s look at what was published.
Statutory Instrument 1200 was
published on Thursday, November 5.
Careful reading of the 30 pages
document took some time, but it clearly
stated that travel for ‘work’, ‘education
and training’ would be permitted, via -
Exemption 2. What more did anyone
need to know? The Government had also
issued ‘Guidance’ for the whole
population, and for some of us, that was
as clear as it could be. Even the Prime
Minister said, “Go to work if possible’’.
As far as I am aware, ADIs ‘go to work’
to ‘educate and train’ people to operate
mechanically propelled motor cars to a
safe standard. Is that not the case?
That brings me back to my spilt
cornflakes. With the S1 1200 and
Government guidance clear, why were
some ADIs bleating about, ‘not getting
clear guidance from the DVSA?’ Why
would ADIs want to have the DVSA hold
their hands, especially if ADIs are going
about their lawful work? Even NASP
seemed to roll over before the DVSA
while having its tummy tickled, when a
simple email to the agency saying, “We
are perfectly ok, thank you, we, and all
ADIs, already have the national guidance
from HM Government and require no
intervention from The Axis Building. See
you in December’’.
The majority of my learners were
co-operative and agreed to suspend
driving lessons, but one of them is an
‘Elite Sportsperson’ who is permitted –
‘‘‘‘
The Statutory Instrument clearly
stated that travel for ‘work,
education and training’ would be
permitted
via Exemption 3 – to continue their
training in their sport, so travel from their
home is ‘essential’. A problem for them
is that in the first week of 2021 they are
due to travel to an education and training
establishment several thousand miles
away, and they will only be able to return
home once a year, at Christmas time, for
the next four years. Their driving test is
booked and with a very small slice of
luck they will pass it. It was my view,
and that of the parents, plus their
professional sports trainer, that it was
‘essential’ for their driver ‘education and
training’ to continue through lockdown.
The suspension of the driving lessons
could have had a very serious impact on
their confidence and mental health.
Subsequently their driving lessons
continued, and I kept a copy of the SI
1200 in my car, should we be
challenged by any official, allowing us to
refer them to the legal exemptions.
It is, fingers crossed, all done in the
hope of having a good day when the
driving test takes place. I confess that I
might be a little nervous myself that day.
Meanwhile, with the relevant Covid-19
PPE and cleaning protocols in place, we
are working towards having an early
Christmas present. ‘Life must go on’, as
someone said a long time ago.
Parking wars
Shopkeepers in a market town not too
far away are waging a war of words
against parking enforcement officials
who, they claim, are being overzealous
with the issuing of penalty charge tickets
for parking offences. On one occasion I
witnessed a slight skirmish between an
errant motorist and an enforcement
official, who was being advised to get a
proper job. I wondered what ‘driver
education’ the motorist had been taught
when they had been learning to drive.
Parking reward
Very recently, the parent of one of my
learners had parked their car in a
supermarket car park in the same town,
and some days later was surprised to
receive a parking charge notice from a
private company responsible for the
management of parking arrangements at
the premises. I was asked for my
thoughts on the matter. Having studied
it, I advised them that the £70 penalty
was excessive for overstaying a mere
seven minutes, and that a visit to the
supermarket customer relations manager
might give them a fruitful result.
And that’s what happened, so another
happy parent, who rewarded me with
two bottles of wine. Gosh, some people
are so kind, especially when you give
them a little knowledge free of charge.
As I often say, there is more to driver
education and training than three-point
turns and simple driving tests.
Next month I’ll bring you news on the
East Midlands Region’s AGM, where
numerous changes happened.
Meanwhile, after enduring a ‘year from
hell’, the Committee wishes everybody a
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a
prosperous 2021.
QUIZ QUESTION
What happened on July 22nd which
later allowed me to spend £16 in a
fast-food dining establishment? First
correct answer to me before December
20 will receive a bottle of wine or
voucher for one!
CONTACT
To comment on this article, or provide
updates from your area, contact
Russell at rjadi@hotmail.com
www.msagb.com
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