Students of Ballinteer Community College who took part in the Rosemary Smith 'Think Awareness' schools driving programme: Laura O'Connell, Sara Hudson and Sean Flanagan, with Transition Year teacher Patrick Flanagan.

For 30 Transition Year students of Ballinteer Community College in Dublin, the day spent on the ‘Think Awareness’ driving programme led by rally champion Rosemary Smith was ‘great’, ‘scary’ or ‘very enjoyable’ depending on who you ask.

But all agreed at the end of the day that it was very well worth while, and laid a good groundwork to them later having a good attitude to road safety.

“It was the first time I’d ever driven a car and it was very enjoyable,” says Sean Flanagan. “I learned a lot in the day. I was surprised at how easy driving is.”

Sarah Hudson admitted to being a bit scared at first, but by the end of the day was very pleased that she had learned the basics of driving.

“I though the tuition was great,” recalled Laura O’Connell. “The instructors were with us every step of the way.”

The event was organised from the school end by Transition Year teacher Patrick Flanagan, who said it was a ‘perfect opportunity’ to give the young people a basic sense of safety techniques and awareness behind the wheel.

“I have a son of my own in Transition Year, so as a parent I understand the value of the experience too,” he said at a function where Skoda Ireland announced their sponsorship of the ‘Think Awareness’ programme. “The young people loved it. It wasn’t cheap, but everybody agreed that it was well worth it.”

The programme has been availed of by 150 schools around Ireland in the last five years.

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