“It was never there before,” complains Edith Grünseis-Pacher. The Club Mobil founder offers driving technique courses for people with disabilities who want to perfect their driving skills. But now, in times of general inflation, more and more people are canceling their participation.
“We still have 60 open places for the autumn courses across Austria,” says the Innviertlerin. And this with a total of 300 places that can be allocated per season. “Just a year ago, the places were gone as quickly as they have been in the 24 years since we’ve been offering the courses.”
Expensive energy prices to blame
The committed Club Mobil boss puts the rise in energy prices as the reason why candidates stay away. “People keep writing to me that unfortunately it’s not financially possible to take part this year,” says Grünseis-Pacher. A one-day course costs only 95 euros after deduction of all subsidies – instead of more than 300 euros without subsidies. “But not everyone can afford even this sum, although driving a car is extremely important for people with disabilities. The correct behavior in extreme situations is taught in the driving safety courses, and mobility means responsibility.”
Check driving skills
A loyal participant from the Salzkammergut has been coming to the driving technique course in Marchtrenk for 25 years to check her driving skills and get the finishing touches. But this year the sprightly senior citizen is staying away for the first time. “She wrote: ‘I have to save – like everyone’.” But it’s not just older people who keep their purses closed, “the youngsters only come sparingly”.
If places remain free, you have to think about course cancellations. “Because I have fixed costs that I have to pay,” says Edith Grünseis-Pacher.
Registrations
Club Mobil has been offering the driving technique courses “Driving with a handicap” for 25 years. Condition: B driving license and a disability of at least 50 percent. Course costs: 95 euros.
Registration: 0664 / 21 33 042 or info@clubmobil.at
Source: Nachrichten
