Newslink January 2022

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Electric cars – yes, or no? And why?
I can see the benefits of going electric
however, it’s a no from me. I’m not
ready to go automatic and just now the
cost of electric cars is crazy.
I was struck at the MSA GB Scottish
Training Seminar in November by the
police guest speaker who highlighted
many issues that no one had considered
before. These include an electric car
cannot be towed. In the event of an
accident emergency services cannot
approach the car in the event of the car
being electrified thus taking longer to get
to any casualty.
I’m happy to stick with my diesel Audi
A3 for now!
How can we improve driver testing/
training in one move?
Compulsory hours with an ADI, ADI
only allowed to book driving test and no
private runners
Who/what inspires you, drives you on?
My niece Abbie. She has a rare brain
condition and has undergone nine major
brain operations and now has brain
damage as a result of the operations
going wrong. She inspires me with her
get-up-and-go attitude. She never fails
to make me smile and drives me on
with her never-give-up approach to life.
Thinking about her got me through my
own low point two-and-a-half years ago
when I had a heart attack and here I am
now, fully recovered and fighting fit!
What keeps you awake at night?
The slightest noise wakes me up. It
can be anything from a can being blown
down the street by the wind but its
usually the boy next door playing his
music at full blast.
I wouldn’t mind if it was decent
music!
No one is the finished article. What do
you do to keep on top of the game?
I’ve recently just sat and passed the
‘‘
Paper’s praise
for Aberdeen
ADI group
It’s stressful enough on a candidate
going for an L-test but it goes
to another level when they are
presented with an examiner with
zero people skills...
‘‘
IAM Road Smart advanced driving
course and achieved a F1rst grade. I
also do a lot of training courses on
teaching ADI Part 3 and Standards
Check training.
It’s always great learning new tricks
which can then be applied to lessons.
I’m all for personal development and
trying to be the best I can possibly be.
What’s the daftest /most dangerous
thing that’s ever happened to you while
teaching?
A few years back I was on my way to
collect a pupil and I was driving in a
timed bus lane, at a time that was fine
for me to do so. I stopped at a set of red
traffic lights and a senior citizen in the
car next to me tooted his horn to get my
attention.
I put the window down and asked
how could I help. He shouted over that I
was breaking the law by driving in a bus
lane, so I politely pointed out that the
bus lane wasn’t in operation as per the
bus lane sign that was next to us. I
offered him some lessons on reading
road signs and best practice for road
positioning.
Needless to say he wasn’t happy
about this and when the traffic lights
changed to green he went to move off
and stalled. As the windows were still
down I called across to offer my services
in helping him to move off while having
control of his car, too!
Needless to say, I’ve never heard from
the guy!
When or where are you happiest?
On a sun lounger in the Costa del Sol
with a cold drink in hand!
If you had to pick one book/film/album
that inspires, entertains or moves you,
what would it be?
Got to be The Killers – Direct Hits
album.
It takes me straight back to the T in
the Park festival in 2009.
The Aberdeen Press and Journal has
paid tribute to its local ADI association
with a feature-length article on its
history just before Christmas.
Aberdeen and District Driving
Schools Association began life in 1971
when petrol cost 34p a gallon and a
typical driving lesson was £1.50*. 18
ADIs attended the first meeting,
though it now has around 90 members
and is believed to be the largest
association of its kind in the UK.
Current chairman Graham Bowen
was given the chance to discuss life as
a modern ADI and explained how
much has changed in the motoring
world since 1971.
“Modern technology would have
seemed like magic in 1971 and with
the introduction of electric cars, will
continue to revolutionise how we do
our jobs,” he told the paper.
“Communication in the past was
done by post and landlines, while
payment was by cash, cheques and
postal orders but now it’s been
through the internet.”
The ADDSA meets quarterly at the
Aberdeenshire Cricket Club, although
this year’s 50th anniversary
celebrations were postponed because
of the global pandemic.
“The pandemic has had a huge
impact on every one of us,” said
Graham, “but we kept in touch via
Zoom.”
Secretary Derek Young highlighted
some of the challenges for today’s
learners – including Aberdeen’s
Haudagain roundabout!
“Many changes have taken place
with the driving test, such as what
manoeuvres are required, sat navs or
following sign directions. Learning to
drive is a huge challenge.
When asked what still challenges
learners Derek said “roundabouts can
be challenging to start with;
approaching the Haudagain
roundabout for the first time is always
a bit daunting!”
* Interestingly, comparing those
figures with today’s prices would see a
driving lesson costing at least £30.
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