Ex-EastEnders star Dean Gaffney asked on to driving course
DERBYSHIRE police have written to actor Dean Gaffney inviting him to take part in a road safety awareness course.
The force sent the former EastEnders star a letter asking him to participate in the one-day scheme run by the Automobile Association.
Called a driver alertness course, the national scheme is offered as an alternative to prosecuting drivers for careless driving offences and imposing fines and penalty points.
Mr Gaffney, 35, suffered head injuries when his Mini Cooper hit the central barrier on the southbound A38, between Markeaton roundabout and Kingsway, on January 30.
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He was staying in the city while appearing in Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced at Derby Theatre and was detained in hospital after the incident.
A spokesman for Derbyshire police would not confirm that the person to whom they have written was the actor.
But he said: "Derbyshire Police have written to a 35-year-old motorist inviting him to take part in a driver alertness course.
"This follows an accident he was involved in on January 30 on the A38 in Derby.
"The course is offered to some drivers who are involved in road accidents, as an alternative to possibly facing prosecution for driving offences."
Mr Gaffney, who shot to fame playing Robbie Jackson in the BBC soap, was knocked unconscious in the accident.
Two weeks later, after making a full recovery, he appeared on stage for the first time in Let's Dance for Comic Relief. A long scar on his forehead could be seen during his appearance.
He reached the final of the competition and decided to invite Royal Derby Hospital surgeon Sujeev Rajapakse, who operated on his head injury, and ward nurses Alison Reynolds and Tina Murphy to watch him perform in London last Saturday.
Mr Gaffney's agent is the Middlesex-based firm Roger Carey Associates who spoke to the actor yesterday.
A spokesman for the company said: "Mr Gaffney does not wish to make a comment on this story. As far as he is concerned the accident is in the past."
Mr Gaffney is a friend of Derbyshire actor Des Coleman.
Mr Coleman said: "I have spoken to Dean and he is looking forward to going on the course."
It takes place at Derby Conference Centre, in London Road, and costs £92. It is classroom-based and lasts for three-and-a-half hours.
A spokesman for AA Drivetech, which runs the course, said: "It consists of an interactive presentation and discussion on all aspects of driving decision-making in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
"It reviews a number of driving scenarios, including collisions, to understand their root cause."
7 Comments
by Weegee
Thursday, March 14 2013, 5:14PM
“why not get Gaffney to use his position, as he is seen by so many people over the country, why doesn't he not comment on what happened, and why it happened ? and say to all those drivers who think ' it wont happen to me ?'
Gaffney can then say ' if you think it will not happen to you, think again '”
by Weegee
Thursday, March 14 2013, 5:13PM
“why not get Gaffney to use his position, as he is seen by so many people over the country, why doesn't he not comment on what happened, and why it happened ? and say to all those drivers who think ' it wont happen to me ?'
Gaffney can then say ' OH YES IT CAN, IT HAPPENED TO ME !!!'”
by Weegee
Thursday, March 14 2013, 5:12PM
“why not get Gaffney to use his position, as he is seen by so many people over the country, why doesn't he not comment on what happened, and why it happened ? and say to all those drivers who think ' it wont happen to me ?'
Gaffney can then say ' OH YES IT CAN, IT HAPPENED TO ME !!!'”
by Http_404
Thursday, March 14 2013, 4:57PM
“Weegee
I presume he has been invited because as reported at the time, when he crashed he was breaking the law by not having a seatbelt on
Perhaps in 3 hours he can write 100 lines "I must always fasten my seatbelt"”
by Weegee
Thursday, March 14 2013, 4:56PM
“JonboyWalton, yes cars do carry more than one seat. the only problem with the human is that they can't be trusted not to answer the phone !! I have been hit from behind when the other driver was on the phone.
I see so many people on their phones when I drive around. As humans if the opportunity is there to use the phone they will. The only way to remove the distraction is to remove what is causing the distraction from the car.
As a driver you are taught from the outset if you do not pay attention when you drive you will cause an accident and loss of life. If people forget this golden rule, then really should they be allowed to seat behind a wheel and drive any vehicle.”
by JonBoyWalton
Thursday, March 14 2013, 4:35PM
“In case you hadn't noticed most cars seat more than 1 person.
I presume the device of which you speak would block the radio frequencies used by phones. Such blocking would also render any data connection from the car unusable, stopping anyone from using a Sat Nav that received traffic data over the phone network. And such a device would need updating when new networks like the 4G network are rolled out.
These courses are more about reminding drivers how much attention they *should* be paying to the road and the consequences if they don't.
The authorities claim they are more effective at correcting bad driving behaviours than a fine - no idea if this is true. Personally I think everyone should have a refresher periodically to maintain their driving standards.”
by Weegee
Thursday, March 14 2013, 1:35PM
“when I read this article and having been driving for many years and teaching people to drive. I am at a loss to see how a three hour class room based course can drive home why cars crash,
It is so simple, the cause of most crashes are mainly due to the driver losing concentration through reasons brought on by themselves, not counting mechanical error of course.
The biggest one thing these days are mobile phones, Would have it been so hard for the car manufactures to have installed a device into all cars that when the engine is turned on a mobile phone would not work within the car, so so so simple.”