Paul Gets The Advanced Driving Golden Double
Paul Blackwell, 36, of Mold, North Wales, was the first tetraplegic to reach the Gold standard of RoSPA’s advanced driver training. Not only has Paul managed to pass this test once, but he has done it again five years later.
In July 1993 Paul had a serious motorcycling accident, when he lost control of his bike and crashed into a wall at around 70 mph. He severely damaged his spine and doctors said he would never be able to use his limbs or the trunk of his body again. Although devastated by this news he was determined not to give up, and eventually after many years of physiotherapy and strong will power he was able to drive again.
Paul sat the test on September 13, 2004, in his car that has been specially adapted for his needs. Before his test date he went to the North Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Centre, a service that helps people return to driving safely following injury or illness. He initially attended the centre before he passed his first RoSPA Gold advanced driving test.
Paul decided to get some extra preparation for his second test and trained with his original driving advisor, Gary Jones, who has now become a good friend. “Before the test I went out with Gary a few times to make sure I was up to scratch. I kept on practicing to make sure I was competent. I wanted to do well and I wanted to do it properly. I’m not the type of person to do things by half” he said.
Passing the test at this level is no easy feat, as most drivers pass at the bronze stage. Driving is a big part of Paul’s life and after the crash he feared that he would never be able to drive again. He said: “Eleven years ago doctors said I would only be able to move my head from left to right. Now, I am using a walking frame to get around, and I am able to drive my car independently. I don’t want to be in a wheelchair all my life, as a person I have a lot of get up a go and loads of determination. Nobody hands you anything on a plate, you have to go out and get things done for yourself. I’m only 36-years-old and I have my whole life ahead of me, and I plan to make the most of it.”
Paul not only has the Gold standard of RoSPA’s advanced driver training to prove that he is a safe driver. He also has two other driving certificates from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, and the Guild of Experienced Motorists.
His attitude to driving wasn’t always so safe, but the accident has made him change his outlook towards many things including driving. “This may sound like a silly thing to say, but you don’t realise how dangerous something is until you are on the receiving end of it”.
“When I was younger I thought I was invincible. I was like a maniac on my motorbike, I liked going fast and loved the feeling of speed. But now I am so safety conscious, and have gone from being a motorbike maniac to a super safe driver” he said.
The next stage for Paul is to try and pass RoSPA’s National Car Diploma certificate. This five-day course will give him the necessary skills to demonstrate advanced driving techniques and methods of instruction. Paul has challenged his friend Gary, to see who will be able to pass the test first. He said: “It’s become a bit of a competition now as Gary has also got the gold too. We’ll see who gets there first, but I’m guessing it will be me.”
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