WEATHER: Snow brings driving instructors a bonus

DRIVING instructors reeling from hundreds of cancelled lessons during the icy weather have seen a flurry of enquiries from existing motorists wanting to improve their skills in the snow. The unexpected boost to business has seen licence holders who were un

DRIVING instructors reeling from hundreds of cancelled lessons during the icy weather have seen a flurry of enquiries from existing motorists wanting to improve their skills in the snow.

The unexpected boost to business has seen licence holders who were uncertain about tackling the borough's ice-hit streets calling on the watchful gaze of an experienced instructor once again.

"It's good that people are turning to instructors for advice rather than just braving the roads and hoping for the best," said Ray Smith, chairman of the Rotherham Driving Instructors' Association.

"Most of the calls we've had over the past fortnight have been cancellations but we were pleased to get some from existing drivers who wanted a lesson to become more confident drivers in the snow and ice.

"There's a whole generation of drivers out there who have never had to contend with this before."

Ray said that many motorists were driving too fast and not allowing the time they need to stop in the icy conditions.

He added: "If we can help some of them drive more sensibly, but with a little more confidence, then that has to be a good thing."