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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| UK driving examiners may be given body cameras after rise in attacks | UK driving examiners may be given body cameras after rise in attacks |
| (6 months later) | |
| Move being considered by DVSA after 50% rise in assaults by disgruntled learner drivers in a year | |
| Press Association | |
| Thu 10 Aug 2017 00.18 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 18.43 GMT | |
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| Driving test examiners could be given body cameras following a spate of attacks by failed candidates. | Driving test examiners could be given body cameras following a spate of attacks by failed candidates. |
| More than 300 staff from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suffered physical or verbal abuse in 2016, up from 198 the previous year, according to the government agency. Around two-thirds of attacks were carried out on examiners, the rest being aimed at vehicle testers and roadside enforcement staff. | More than 300 staff from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suffered physical or verbal abuse in 2016, up from 198 the previous year, according to the government agency. Around two-thirds of attacks were carried out on examiners, the rest being aimed at vehicle testers and roadside enforcement staff. |
| The DVSA is now trialling body cameras for frontline staff. They will initially be given to roadside workers, but could be rolled out to include driving test examiners if they prove effective, the agency said. Cameras are already used by many police forces to record officers’ interactions with the public. | The DVSA is now trialling body cameras for frontline staff. They will initially be given to roadside workers, but could be rolled out to include driving test examiners if they prove effective, the agency said. Cameras are already used by many police forces to record officers’ interactions with the public. |
| The DVSA also pledged to make abusive learner drivers take their next test elsewhere and to refer all incidents of threats and physical assault to the police. | The DVSA also pledged to make abusive learner drivers take their next test elsewhere and to refer all incidents of threats and physical assault to the police. |
| In one case, a candidate who was asked to stop the car after committing serious errors swore at the examiner and drove wildly across a dual carriageway. The examiner had to use the dual controls to stop the vehicle safely. The culprit was banned from that test centre and will be supervised during any future tests. | In one case, a candidate who was asked to stop the car after committing serious errors swore at the examiner and drove wildly across a dual carriageway. The examiner had to use the dual controls to stop the vehicle safely. The culprit was banned from that test centre and will be supervised during any future tests. |
| DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: “Our message is clear: whatever has happened, don’t take it out on our staff. If you do, we’ll press for the strongest possible penalties.” | DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: “Our message is clear: whatever has happened, don’t take it out on our staff. If you do, we’ll press for the strongest possible penalties.” |
| RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “Examiners at the DVSA play a vital role in ensuring the safety of drivers and vehicles on our roads on a daily basis. It’s therefore disappointing to see such a marked increase in the verbal and physical abuse they are encountering from the very people they are trying to help.” | RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “Examiners at the DVSA play a vital role in ensuring the safety of drivers and vehicles on our roads on a daily basis. It’s therefore disappointing to see such a marked increase in the verbal and physical abuse they are encountering from the very people they are trying to help.” |
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