Skoda sponsors schools driving awareness programme
19 April 2001: Skoda has become the latest sponsor of a young people’s driving programme which has already been availed of by 150 schools in the country.
The ‘Think Awareness’ programme for Transition Year students devised by rally driving champion Rosemary Smith (pictured above with Skoda Ireland's sales manager Colin Sheridan) over the past five years is supported by the garda siochana, AA, the National Safety Council and Allianz Insurance Group.
The Skoda involvement was welcomed last night by the minister for education and science, Dr Michael Woods, who said Rosemary’s programme has been ‘a very positive awareness-raising experience’ for young people who have participated in it.
The minister noted that 31 young people had been killed on Irish roads in the first two months of this year. “These were 31 wasted lives,” he said. “It is a real problem, but one that we CAN do something about.”
The ‘Think Awareness’ programme is a one-day course which can be organised either on suitable school property or at a location in Fairyhouse.
Rosemary leads a team which gives the students a grounding in essential areas such as Rules of the road, Risk Perception, Car Familiarisation and Safety Behind the Wheel.
Two driving sessions with experienced tutors are part of the package.
Last night, Rosemary appealed to the Taoiseach to provide financial support for a dedicated young people’s driving school such as is available in other countries.
“We have a 90-acre site available, and considerable financial commitment from the private sector,” she said at the announcement of the Skoda support. “But it gets embarrassing when I have to keep telling these private sponsors that we’re still ‘only talking’ with the Government.” BB
RELATED STORIES
Schools driving programme 'well worth while'