Mary Cosh driving debate - MP Emily Thornberry calls for U-turn on test re-sit

Published: 25 June, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

MP Emily Thornberry stepped in this week to support beleaguered Islington historian Mary Cosh, who is being forced to re-sit her driving test after clipping the wing mirror of a parked car.

Ms Thornberry has written to the Minister for Transport, Mike Penning, urging his department to “put up or shut up” – provide adequate evidence or rescind the decision to force Barnsbury pensioner Ms Cosh to re-sit.

The issue has sparked a huge debate in the borough with letters to the Tribune for and against the decision.

Ms Cosh had been returning in her Nissan car from an evening meeting when she clipped the wing mirror of a parked car in Lofting Road, close to where she lives, early this year.

She was tailed by a passing police patrol car with siren blazing and accused of not stopping and reporting the incident to the driver of the other vehicle and driving “erratically”.

Ms Cosh, who has a disabled badge following knee and hip operations, argued that she didn’t stop because it was dark and the narrowness of the road made it difficult to park.

She has now been ordered by the DVLA, following a report by the police, to re-sit her driving test at a date to be fixed. Should she fail Ms Cosh faces becoming virtually housebound or reliant on expensive mini-cabs.

Ms Thornberry said one of the worst aspects of the case is that Ms Cosh, who had to sit a medical exam following the incident, has not been informed by the DVLA precisely why she should have to re-sit the test.

Ms Thornberry said: “I’ve known Mary for many years.

I believe she has been driving for 50 years without an accident and the recent incident was very minor.

“The requirement to sit another driving test I believe is unduly harsh.

There are a number of occasions she relies on her car to get about.

“It seems to me that if the medical officer had any concerns about a pensioner’s fitness to drive, that pensioner should have a right to know what these concerns are and should be informed in detail about why a new test is required.”

In an added twist, the owner of the vehicle that Ms Cosh clipped has also offered her his support.

Heating and plumbing engineer Efremi Panayiotis suggested the police were “somewhat over
the top” in the way they dealt with the incident.

Mr Panayiotis, 59, said: “It was only the wing mirror that she clipped.

I haven’t had it repaired yet because I’ve not been well.

It will cost about £100 to repair, which is not hugely expensive.

I’m still able to use it.

“My mirrors are always being clipped. It’s one of the hazards of having a car.”