THE DRIVE AWARE PROGRAMME

Safer roads for a safer society.

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What is the Drive Aware Programme

The Drive Aware Programme (DAP) is a dedicated initiative focused on promoting safer driving practices and reducing road-related offences across Ireland. With road safety remaining a critical concern in the country, Ireland continues to experience a higher rate of fatalities compared to many other European nations. Impaired, dangerous, and careless driving are leading causes of these fatalities, and the Drive Aware Programme was developed as a direct response to address these pressing issues.

The programme’s primary goal is to raise awareness of safe driving behaviours and encourage long-term behavioural changes, ultimately helping to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Irish roads. Since its inception, the Drive Aware Programme has garnered strong support from the judiciary across multiple counties. Since 2019, it has also seen an increasing number of self-referrals from individuals eager to improve their driving habits. The Drive Aware Programme has the capacity to significantly lower re-offending rates while offering essential education and rehabilitation for participants.

DRIVE AWARE Programme
Modules available:

Alcohol & Drug Driving

This online module educates participants on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It includes topics such as the effects of substances on driving ability, legal limits for consumption, and strategies to avoid impaired driving situations.

Cost €500

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Dangerous & Careless Driving (Speeding, No Licence, No Insurance, etc.)

This online module addresses risky driving behaviours, including speeding, driving without a licence or insurance, and distracted driving. It emphasizes the importance of adopting safe driving practices and understanding the severe consequences of reckless behaviour.

Cost €500

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ESSENTIAL DRIVING SKILLS

On-Road Driving Awareness Assessment

The On-Road Driving Awareness Assessment is a practical module that allows participants to apply the knowledge learned in the previous modules under real-world driving conditions. Led by Seán O’Connor, an advanced driver, this assessment focuses on essential driving skills, such as vehicle control, speed management, and risk management. It provides participants with personalised feedback and reinforces the consequences of offences like impaired, careless, or dangerous driving. This module plays a key role in motivating participants to adopt safer, more responsible driving habits.

Cost €650

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Engaging in the Drive Aware Programme offers you numerous benefits, particularly in terms of self-awareness, behaviour change, and long-term road safety. By attending the program, you will gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of your driving offences, such as emotional triggers, peer pressure, or impaired judgment due to substances. This insight will empower you to reflect on your actions, identify your motivations for change, and commit to adopting safer, more responsible driving habits.

The programme also equips you with practical tools to manage emotions behind the wheel, make informed decisions, and avoid future offences. By educating you on the legal and personal consequences of the driving offence, you will be better prepared to avoid reckless behaviour and reduce your risk of re-offending. In addition to these benefits, you will receive a comprehensive court report and a certificate of completion, ensuring that your progress is clearly documented for legal purposes. In essence, the Drive Aware Programme fosters a lasting commitment to road safety, ensuring that you not only avoid further violations but also contribute to a safer driving culture for everyone.

→ DAP is suitable for men and women aged 18 and over
→ First-time drink drivers and those who have committed a number of drink / drug-drive offences are suitable for this programme
→ Drivers who have committed the offence of Dangerous or Careless Driving (speeding, no licence, no insurance etc.)

→ Enhance knowledge of safe driving: Educate participants on the principles of safe driving practices and challenge myths and misconceptions about driving.
→ Understand the role of emotions in driving: Introduce how emotions influence driving decisions and empower participants to adopt alternative responses.
→ Develop strategies for non-offensive driving: Equip participants with the tools to plan and practice non-offensive driving habits, reducing future traffic violations.
→ Examine motivations behind offences: Foster an understanding of why traffic offences occur and the broader impact on others.
→ Promote responsible driving: Encourage participants to adopt responsible, considerate, and safe driving habits for the betterment of road safety.
→ Acknowledge the impact of dangerous & careless driving: Help drivers understand the consequences of their driving and commit to changing their behaviour.
→ Teach skills for emotional control: Provide strategies for controlling thoughts, feelings, and actions to prevent driving offences in the future.
→ Reflect on offence behaviour: Encourage drivers to explore why they committed the offence and how their actions affect others.

→ Heightened Risk Awareness: Drivers gain an understanding of the dangers associated with their offence, including its impact on others.
→ Emotional Regulation: Participants learn to identify and manage emotions like frustration or impatience, which may lead to impulsive driving decisions.
→ Reduced Overconfidence: Drivers recognize that overconfidence in their driving abilities often leads to reckless behaviour and that they are not invulnerable to accidents.
→ Avoidance of Peer Pressure: Participants gain awareness of how social influences can affect driving behaviour and how to resist the urge to conform to dangerous behaviours.
→ Understanding Legal Consequences: Drivers become aware of the significant legal ramifications of their actions, including fines, license suspension, and potential imprisonment.
→ Commitment to Safe Driving: Participants commit to adopting safer, more responsible driving habits, reducing the likelihood of re-offending.
→ Long-Term Behaviour Change: Drivers gain skills to avoid committing offences in the future by controlling emotional responses and making informed decisions.

The Drive Aware Programme is delivered online, using a mix of PowerPoint presentations, interactive discussions, and practical exercises. However, it can also be provided in a one-to-one or group setting on-site if requested. Upon completion, you will be provided with a report for the court and a certificate of completion.

At Drive Aware, we believe that real-world experience is key to becoming a safer and more responsible driver. We are proud to introduce our latest addition to the Drive Aware Programme: The On-Road Driving Awareness Assessments, led by Seán O’Connor, an advanced driver with extensive expertise in road safety and driving behaviour.

This new on-road driving assessment is designed to complement our successful online programme, reinforcing the skills learned in a practical setting. By giving participants the opportunity to demonstrate and refine their driving skills under real-world conditions, this initiative fosters a deeper motivation for change and strengthens their insight into the driving offences they may have committed.

This new service works hand-in-hand with our online learning modules, allowing participants to apply the knowledge they’ve gained in a practical environment. By focusing on both the technical aspects of driving and the emotional and strategic factors that contribute to dangerous driving decisions, this initiative offers a unique opportunity to reflect on past mistakes and embrace meaningful change.

Drivers who participate in the On-Road Driving Awareness Assessment will not only improve their driving skills but will also strengthen their understanding of the broader consequences of their offences, further motivating them to adopt safer, more responsible driving habits.
Upon completion, you will be provided with a report for the court and a certificate of completion.

→ Current Irish Driving Licence
→ A vehicle the participant is insured to drive that is safe, legal and roadworthy

Testimonials From Satisfied Participants of Drive Aware

Slow down and prioritise safety

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u0022Before this programme, I didn’t think much about my speeding or risky overtaking. The statistics and real-life examples shared in the sessions really hit home. I’ve learned to slow down and prioritise safety over saving a few minutes on the road.u0022
Emma G
Dublin

I needed to stop mixing drugs and driving

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u0022The programme helped me understand how even recreational drug use can impair driving and put lives at risk. It was the reality check I needed to stop mixing drugs and driving altogether. I feel like a more responsible person now, not just a better driver.u0022
Liam B
Louth