Donegal’s Pro-Social Drivers Programme, set up to address anti-social driving behaviour in the county, was crowned National Supreme Award winner by the Road Safety Authority at the recent ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ ceremony.

Established in 2012 and operated by Gary Doggett and Martin McFadden, the Letterkenny-based programme was designed as a rehabilitation initiative for people who have been engaged in anti-social driving behaviour.

The programme has been supported and endorsed by Garda Inspector Michael Harrison and the Court Service via Judge Paul Kelly. To date, it has worked with over 180 people who have been referred through the Courts Service as well as legal professionals and concerned family members.

Seated (l-r): Donegal Cllr Terence Slowey, Cathaoirleach, and Seamus Neely, Chief Executive; Standing (l-r): Garth Gibson, Donegal Youth Services; Garda Inspector Michael Harrison; Brian O’Donnell, Donegal’s Road Safety Officer; and Mick Quinlivan, Pro-Social Drivers Programme. (Pic: Clive Wasson)

Road safety has been a major item on the agenda across Donegal for a number of years now and the Pro-Social Drivers Programme is one of many organisations who make up the Donegal Road Safety Working Group (DRSWG). The DRSWG roles out a variety of events, initiatives and multi-media campaigns aimed at spreading the road safety message.

Brian O’Donnell, Donegal County Council’s Road Safety Officer, said the programme has built on the past success of other members of the Donegal Road Safety Working Group, such as Donegal County Council and Donegal Youth Service, who won an RSA Leading Lights Award in 2015 for the work of the Donegal Youth Councillors on road safety radio campaigns.

Mick Quinlivan from the Pro-Social Drivers Programme, thanked Donegal County Council for all of the assistance received to date, adding “We look forward to working with the council members as we further develop and expand the programme”.