AI Solutions: Sex and the ADI

AI Solutions: Sex and the ADI: Well of course sex sells, but where does the line become crossed, it was interesting, or maybe disturbing to read that Mark Magee repo...

Sex and the ADI

Well of course sex sells, but where does the line become crossed, it was interesting, or maybe disturbing to read that Mark Magee reports more complaints of a sexual nature from learner drivers in the last year compared to previous years.  Of course there are big question marks surrounding this, what constitutes a sexual advance, what particular word or action would be considered to be inappropriate.

It is a fact that learning to drive creates a relationship between learner and trainer, just as in any tutor role, after all we have all read the stories of teachers absconding with their pupils, in fact I knew a teacher from my school days who upped and left his family of four and went into hiding with a sixteen year old girl. Knowing the family well, it was quite a difficult time for them all, a well respected head of year turned to being a refuse collector to support them both. Does this happen within the learning to drive community, of course possibly even to that extreme.  I have met many women who married their ADI.  So when does a professional relationship become a personal one.

We would be horrified if teachers in schools were suggestive towards our children, but a trainee student is an adult, so should the same view be taken, well during some research on the learning to drive process some of the responses were quite obviously indicative of uncomfortable car situations, but is that because the young female, as they were by the far the larger group who had a story to tell, feel embarrassed or unsure of their sexuality so respond poorly in an intimate environment.  From a female point of view, if you are 'trapped' in a vehicle with a good looking male you are more likely to behave differently and try to perform better, whilst trying to appear cool and knowing and sexy.  However, in the car with a butch female, the working environment could be taken more seriously as there is no pressure to display a more adult impression than might otherwise seem necessary.  As a woman, who remembers those teenage years too clearly, nature made the decision of attraction and being mature enough to overcome that is not so easy.

This doesn't of course solve the problem.  Some of the things sited in my research were such normal everyday comments it was very difficult, even trying to find a suggestive nature, to pinpoint certain phrases as sexual.  You look nice today - I mean, really?  Do you have a boyfriend? - is that a come on, or just polite conversation to relax the student?  Your legs look nice in jeans - well I guess you could take that the wrong way. However, I fail to see any of the above statements grounds for complaint.

Other comments which could be stepping on the line or inching over included, feel how cold my hands are - which could just be someone who is kinesthetic but touching is always a no go area. I've had a row with my wife this morning, and proceeding to tell the details - why? These two comments alone saw different variations, but they all were viewed as negative by the females.  The males who took part could see no problem with any of these statements, so maybe it really is that women are vastly different from men.

The comments that were completely across the boundary included, you are gorgeous, you should have been a model - from a driving instructor? Let me help you with your seat belt - if they can't do it themselves should they be driving, falls into the personal space no go area. I am a photographer too, I can take some pictures for your portfolio they'd look great - advertising photography to impressionable females could definitely fall into the seduction scenario, innocent or not. Do you fancy meeting up when I'm not working - two single people, maybe acceptable after all there are plenty of office romances, but that is in an equal environment, the tuition car is  an unequal environment just as a school or college would be.  This could be interpreted as grooming.

It is funny that female instructors, who have their fair share of advances from male pupils, never see it necessary to complain, in fact sometimes it's flattering, who would we complain to? Our association? Would we stop the lessons, taking into account the financial environment, or is it a matter for the Police?

We all have our own idea of inappropriate behaviour, and many are quick to judge and jump in, but from an instructors point of view, and reflecting on Mr Magee's comments, are we at risk, do we need in car cameras to protect our integrity or will that make no difference at all.  Because the research clearly identifies that an offensive comment or action to one is deemed as an over reaction or not worthy of comment by others.  Would every ADI be shocked by their pupils thoughts.  Because as individuals, pass this on to the court system and there is exactly the same problem, the definition in law of sexual advance is an attempt to gain sexual favour, with the best will in the world, is that really going to happen on the back seat of a modern hatchback?  Especially when valuable working hours are lost.  Is that honestly the intention of instructors who may feel that this is the best way to break the ice, with a bit of innuendo or flattery.

As a community of instructors it is important to know what the boundaries are, despite how obvious they may appear, what the boundaries are that are expected of the executive agency that licences us and where our protection comes from.  A teenager having  a bad day can ruin someones career, what's your protection?

AI Solutions: The Standards Check

AI Solutions: The Standards Check: There has been quite a lot of talk about the changes to the check test system, I've blogged about it before and written an article,...

The Standards Check

There has been quite a lot of talk about the changes to the check test system, I've blogged about it before and written an article, but I was very interested by the DVSA document concerning the standards check, where they anticipate teething problems and are very aware that many may acquire a lower grade until they become more used to the system.

"Initially DSA expect there to be a slight dip in satisfactory standards checks while ADIs gain
a better understanding of the new process and familiarise themselves with our published
standards requirements. The project will ensure effective communications ahead of
introduction to get across the new assessment criteria to minimise this impact" (DSA 2013)

So surely that means that they are looking for a better standard than previously, or does it mean that the examiners are now all trained to the same level rather than in previous years where as each examiner became able to take tests for part two, then three, then check tests, so had a more up to date or different training regime resulting in an inconsistent marking strategy.

There are 85 examiners trained to carry out check tests in the UK, who will receive just four days training, which seems quite small when you compare the requirements, working to the script of the standards document and taking into account CCL.

Of course if you already deliver CCL, which isn't coaching, just to be clear, according to my communication from the DVSA and also the former road safety minister and also are following the syllabus set down by the DVSA then there should be no drop in standards, surely?

So, for people like me who will be taking a fleet client, despite the fact it is not essential to provide a full licence holder to maintain my fleet badge now, I wonder how the marking will take place and if their will be a bias towards pupil based lessons.

There are 20 instructors over the age of 81, with the majority group being between 41 and 60.  This will surely impact on them as there are so many different forms of 'training' taking place in preparation for the new test, everyone is surely going to have a different experience as each client and subject matter is different.

So do we need to prepare for the standards check, are we doing enough, will it have all changed again in a years time if everyone is downgraded or more slip off the edge, if the DVSA have no idea of the impact then how as instructors are we expected to view this change, for many of us a lower grade would see a change in working practice as some contracts require a specific grade.

All of the ADI Associations have approved the new marking system, and to be honest if there is to be modernisation it has to include everything, so when is modernisation going to spill over into the driving test, well one would expect once the modernisation of the examiners and the driving instructor has taken place.

AI Solutions: Insurance Scams

AI Solutions: Insurance Scams: Well first it was fronting, a young driver gets a parent to insure the car and they are a named driver hence lower premiums which equa...

Insurance Scams

Well first it was fronting, a young driver gets a parent to insure the car and they are a named driver hence lower premiums which equals a criminal offence, now we have older drivers flouting the law too.  A very limited survey identified that some drivers over the age of 70 are not renewing their licence, either due to lack of understanding, zero contact from the licencing agencies, just not bothering or losing their licence for health issues, yet still insuring their vehicles.

If you renew with the same insurance agent, or even when taking out a policy with a new broker they never ask to see the driving licence of the insured, the driver may or may not have a conviction, ban or valid licence.  So what happens in the event of an accident?  Well, the driver is not insured, and a named driver would still not have valid cover as the policy holder would have given false information.  Check the small print, it alleviates the insurance company of any responsibility if you fail to declare.

With over one million older drivers, there is a very real risk associated with this group.  So why don't insurance companies ask for proof of a licence when insuring your vehicle?  Firstly they ask you to confirm you have a licence and have held it for x number of years, if you have an accident that is your fault then you will lose your no claims bonus, if your insurance is invalid then you will become personally liable, hence the insurance company will have no concern about their involvement but you will of course not get a refund on the premium and run the risk of being fined for false declaration.  If it is a non fault accident, your insurance company will encourage you to pursue this direct with the other party and no need for you to show your licence.

The young driver is often targeted as likely to be uninsured and a risk taker, the older driver doesn't inspire the same investigation, yet their accident rate in terms of number equals that of the new driver age group.

Will the removal of the counterpart and introduction of a digital service which enables easier access to driver records may make it easier to spot, but only if insurance companies make this part of their regular admin checks on renewal, that will take additional time and ultimately add to the cost, meaning premiums are unlikely to fall by £15 as suggested, when just changing your address on a policy costs £30.  With the new system not likely to be up and running until well into next year, what happens if today you meet a potentially unaware, uninsured driver, who is going to cover your costs?

Bringing a Learner into the Modern World

You would of course assume that the learner if they are in the 17 - 24 age bracket would be firmly in the 21st century but that is so obviously not the case when you look at the expectations of many when learning to drive a car.  They are often led by the adult driver in the family who learned to drive in a different traffic environment.

Eco driving, within the school syllabus good ecological behaviour is actively encouraged planning continuous education in respect of university or college and the years ahead, yet when it comes to driving pupils are in a past generation held back by the beliefs of their parents, however the parental viewpoint must have changed because for many leaving school was common place as soon as the year 11 exams were over, now it's just part of the school pathway towards A levels, compulsory now but not then, and not for the 17 year olds currently learning to drive. So how did perception of the education system change, it wasn't an overnight change at all, it was a slow build.

Ten years ago a sixteen year old could leave school they could claim unemployment benefit, they could secure a Saturday job, there was EMA and going to work at sixteen starting at the bottom and working up was not considered to be the wrong thing to do.  If society can see that as a bad thing, even though it had been that way for many years surely attitude can change.

Wanting a driving licence is a good thing, but modernisation of the test is worthless if the process to become a driver hasn't been modernised too. How does the instructor reform the process, it's probably harder than you think, there are a lot of instructors set in their ways, pupils passing their test, recommendations, full diary if it's not broke why fix it, well the suggestion is it is not broke at all, but it is out of date.  How many instructors ask an ADI they do not know to look at their lesson with a pupil or full licence holder being trained and ask for constructive criticism?  Could we count the number on one hand?

The other problem is that there is a lot of competitiveness in this industry amongst those that want to be seen to be making their best effort to evoke change, but there is also a far greater number who do not want change that are happy with their career, their reputation and their income, does this mean they provide a poor service, of course not otherwise they would be looking for another career, as the minority are batting at the top end, and road fatality rates are falling then as a profession we must be doing well.

However, if the learning to drive path is set to change, and it seems that the changes will be minor in the long term and the test runs along the GDE matrix, as the standards check marking will, then those that haven't embraced it will be left behind and they will be part of a culling process that we appear not to be privvy to.

Is your learner up to date with the learning to drive practice, or do we indulge their perceptions to secure the work?