THE EDITOR, Sir:
I URGENTLY seek a space in your column to explain a situation I am currently engulfed in. Please read slowly and carefully as this could be an enlightenment to prospective female drivers.
I made an application to a driving school in May of this year. I paid $4,000 for a package of 10 lessons and so I received 10 tickets, one to be used for each lesson. During my first lesson, I encountered some serious problems with the instructor as he had great difficulty keeping his hands off my body. He would either be touching my thigh, stroking or pulling my hair and he pinched my breast! I warned him and kept telling him his actions were going to lead to me stopping. He just never seemed to understand! I had to end the lessons prematurely.
I called the company and explained to them what had transpired and asked for a refund for half of my money. A member there told me via telephone that I could not be refunded but I could have another instructor assigned to me. I waited for days, days became weeks and I did not get another instructor! A lady from the company who quoted her name as Angela called me and convinced me that I would definitely have an instructor by May 31, 2005. I have waited until some time in June but he has not yet arrived.
I kept calling but was given continuous promises and excuses. So I started new lessons with a private instructor who has taken me thoroughly through the process of learning the art of driving. I wrote a letter to the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) explaining the problem and asked for their assistance in getting the company and I to formulate an amicable solution. I hand-delivered a copy of this letter to the driving school.
On Monday, July 11, 2005, a representative from the CAC called me to analyse the situation and he also told me he spoke to the owner. Well it worked out that the owner is now saying he doesn't believe me and that his employee has denied what I claimed.
PROCEDURES
The question I ask: Is this a part of the procedures for a woman in Jamaica to be granted a driver's licence? What do I do now? Consumer Affairs Commission has confirmed that if it has to be taken to the court then they can't be involved any longer, which is quite understandable.
I have spoken to other women who explained to me that they have been in similar situations with the said company but just could not be bothered and also didn't wish to be identified. They also said they could not be bothered with the ups and downs and spinning around to get back their money. Well I have worked just too hard to let mine go so easily!
If there is any authority or anyone in this country who may be knowledgeable about an amicable solution to this, please publicise it or contact me so I can follow up on it. In closing, I must warn any prospective female drivers to be careful and not to tolerate any abuse from their driving instructors.
I am, etc.,
SABRINA SPENCER
sabrina_spencer2000@yahoo.com
