A unique driving course aimed at educating Donegal’s young drivers about road safety has launched a new programme for young people age 14 upwards.
The Pro Social Road Safety programme has been a huge success to date.
The Garage Project allows young people to work on real cars, carry out mechanical and body work as well as learning how cars work and the importance of road safety.
The project was supported by the Department of Rural & Community Development, Donegal Local Community Development Committee, Donegal Local Development CLG and Donegal County Council through grant aid received under The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in
Ireland 2014-2022.
The programme and takes in ten young people per class for five weeks, to learn about cars under the expert guidance of instructors Denis Ferry, Leslie O’Donnell, and members of the Donegal Youth Service in a garage in Letterkenny.
The programme is fully subscribed and a waiting list of young people eagerly waiting on places on the programme, which shows how popular the programme is.
The Garage Project is part of the Pro Social Ireland Driving programme, which was set up in Donegal in 2012, and is now operating in several counties.
The aim of the programme is to re-educate and rehabilitate participants who may have been referred by the Courts or Probation Service, by challenging their established thinking patterns and attitudes towards driving and bring about greater awareness of their driving behaviour.
Brian O’Donnell, Donegal Road Safety Officer said. “The Garage Project aims to channel the interest young people have in cars in the right direction, educating them on safety before they become a risk on the roads and ultimately prevent them from putting lives risk.
“The course aims to educate young drivers both male and female to respect cars and
how they work, to respect themselves and also to respect everyone who
uses the road”.
Pro Social Ireland would like to thank Donegal Local Development CLG for their assistance in securing LEADER funding, Denis Ferry, Leslie O’Donnell and Donegal Youth Service for their expert tuition and support for the programme.
