Driving instructor, 75, charged with more than a dozen alleged assaults of learners

A 75-year-old driving instructor from Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs has been arrested, accused of assaulting learner drivers.

SA Police detectives arrested the man on Sunday.

Police allege he assaulted three learner drivers during December and January.

He was charged with 17 counts of aggravated assault and will face court in March.

Police are appealing to anyone with information in relation to the alleged incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

It follows the arrest, in June, of another South Australian driving instructor who was charged with assaulting two teenage learner drivers during lessons.

In mid-2018, the SA Government announced a review into the driver instruction industry.

Then-minister for transport Stephan Knoll said the crackdown was aimed at preventing “dodgy instructors” from “taking advantage of young people in their care”.

In February 2020, the Government announced a “crackdown on corrupt driving instructors” and said that it would consider implementing tougher requirements for entry into the industry.

In a statement, Transport Minister Corey Wingard today said the Government was “working to implement stricter and more streamlined laws to help eradicate inappropriate practices”.

“We’ve heard some alarming reports of driving instructors accepting bribes, engaging in inappropriate behaviour with minors and misusing their accreditation,” he said.

“We’ve already strengthened safety by requiring that all new and renewing instructors submit a current working with children check as part of the application process.”