Former Mansfield police officer opens new driving school in Lexington

Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal
Updated ·2 min read
Celebrating the Monday afternoon ribbon-cutting of a new Lexington business, Safety First Driving School, are, from left, Lexington Mayor Brian White; Ryan and Nicole Anschutz and son Noah; Lori Cope, owner and instructor; Lexington council members Adam Gongwer and Bob Jarvis; and Harold Cope, Lori's husband and co-owner. The business is at 305 E. Main St.,

LEXINGTON ― A former Mansfield police officer and safety service director has opened a new driving school at 305 E. Main St. in the village.

Lori Cope and her husband Harold officially opened Safety First Driving School on Monday, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting attended by a crowd of well-wishers, including family members, local community members, neighbors and Lexington Mayor Brian White. Even Cope's baby grandson, Noah Anschutz, attended the event.

Safety First Driving School's logo includes a photo of the 1950 Mercury that Lori Cope's late father, Del Russell, bought at age 80. Cope's mother Bonita, 84, still drives it to car shows in Florida. (Photo: Lou Whitmire/News Journal)
Safety First Driving School's logo includes a photo of the 1950 Mercury that Lori Cope's late father, Del Russell, bought at age 80. Cope's mother Bonita, 84, still drives it to car shows in Florida. (Photo: Lou Whitmire/News Journal)

Cope said numerous students from area high schools — including Northmor, Fredericktown, Galion, Shelby, Lucas, Clear Fork, Lexington and Mansfield Senior — already have signed up.

"We have a gentleman from Ukraine who brought his child and moved here and they're signed up," Cope told media outside the new business, where her first student driving car, a Toyota Corolla, was parked. A second vehicle, a Toyota Camry, will be added in days. Both were purchased locally from New Haven Auto Sales.

Teaching drivers safety is paramount

Cope said she plans to make sure her driving school students learn everything they can about safety. She and her husband operated a driving school in 2008 and sold it when she took a position with the City of Mansfield.

"We trust they will do what we need them to do and with our law enforcement background, we feel we have the tools to do so. It has so far and we trust it will continue so," Cope said.

Cope said a lot of people now take the driving class book work online then come to a driving school for the required on-the-road hours with a driving school. Teens then complete the required hours behind the wheel with their parents.

She said she loves teaching students to drive.

"I really do pride myself," she said. "They get in the car and I tell them you cannot fail. With me, you cannot fail. We're going to drive and if you run over a cone, you run over a cone. I just love it. I really do. I enjoy it."

And for the safety of all, student driver vehicles are equipped with a brake for the instructor on the front passenger side.

Cope said she used a photo of her late father Del Russell's 1950 George Barris Mercury in her logo because it was the love of his life. He always wanted one and he bought it at age 80.

"We couldn't have it here (for the ribbon cutting). It's in Florida," Cope said. "Our mom (Bonita) still drives it to car shows," she said, smiling with her sisters. "She's 84."

Cope said customers may contact the driving school at 419-884-7900 or stop by the business at 305 E. Main St., in the strip mall. The driving school is next to Lex Charm.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Former Mansfield police officer opens Safety First Driving School