Students graduating from new road safety programme. Photo by Clive Wasson
STUDENTS from Carndonagh Community School and St Columba’s College, Stranorlar have successfully graduated from a ground breaking road safety programme.
The pilot programme is the first of its kind in Donegal and Ireland and was facilitated by the Pro Social Drivers Programme. It was delivered to LCA students who attended modules designed to address particular problem areas such as emotional control, social responsibility, driving under the influence and the consequences of anti-social behaviour while driving.
The Pro-Social Drivers Programme was formed in Letterkenny and this cognitive behavioural approach continues to go from strength to strength in achieving some very positive outcomes and the programme aims to rehabilitate dangerous drivers.
Statistics tell us that young and new drivers are more likely to be involved in serious road collisions. With a view to addressing this, the programme is being developed so that it can be rolled out to all secondary schools in Donegal delivering the right messages to the right audience at the most appropriate time. A presentation of certificates was held recently in the LYIT where the students who completed the programme were acknowledged for their participation.
Mick Quinlivan, Pro Social Drivers Programme, stated “we were delighted to be given the opportunity to deliver the programme and we would like to thank the Donegal Road Safety Working Group for all their assistance to date and we look forward to developing and expanding the programme to all the schools in Donegal”.
Inspector Michael Harrison said “in my opinion this course will save lives on our roads and I am delighted to see that the programme is being developed to include all the schools in Donegal. Reducing the number of deaths and injuries on Donegal’s roads is a responsibility we all share”.
Brian O’Donnell, Road Safety Officer, Donegal County Council stated that “the Donegal Road Safety Working Group are delighted that the Pro Social Drivers Programme have completed this unique pilot programme to students in Carndonagh Community School and St Columba’s College, Stranorlar. It is great to have a dedicated group of professionals from Donegal delivering an innovative programme to students which will without doubt change their driving habits and save lives”.
Brian O’Donnell also thanked Dennis Ferry and Leslie O’Donnell who gave a great presentation on the risks associated with bad driving behaviour and the precautions that need to be in place for driving safely. He also thanked Des Kearney, Driving Instructor and An Garda Siochana for their assistance in delivering the programme as well as Carndonagh Community School and St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar for their assistance and to the participating students for their active involvement in the programme.
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