After weeks of theoretical driving instruction, Myla (name changed) was driving for the first time. She was nervous, and her hands were sweating. She followed the speed limit when the car in front of her gave a persistent honk, which caused her to become distracted. Myla abruptly swerved, breaking the law as usual.
Unexpected swerving carries a Dh1,000 fine and four black points on a driver’s license in the United Arab Emirates. However, Myla is still a learner and does not yet possess a driver’s license. Therefore, who will be penalized?
The Emirates Driving Institute’s (EDI) Instructor Training Center manager, Wajahat Noor, explained: “The instructor bears the responsibility for ensuring the safety of the learner, the training vehicle, and other road users.”
Instructors must exercise extra caution in all situations where learners are likely to make mistakes, such as those involving sharp curves, roundabouts, traffic lights, merging from minor to major roads with stop or give way signs, lane changes, two-way traffic with numerous vulnerable road users, including cyclists, pedestrians, and e-scooter riders approaching the front vehicle, and highway and road conditions.
Instructors must also drive with composure and concentration to ensure that their students drive safely. Noor emphasized that besides having the necessary training and experience, they must be constantly prepared for anything that may come up.
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