JUST ONE LIFE
Launch of Young Driver Awareness Programme in County Wicklow
Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Rotary Club have joined forces to deliver a Young Driver Awareness Programme targeting 15 to 17-year-olds in County Wicklow.
The Just One Life programme aims to increase road safety awareness among young drivers through education and prevent road traffic deaths and serious injuries.
The launch of this programme in County Wicklow took place in the Mermaid Arts Centre on Wednesday, 24th of September, with up to 200 Transition Year students in attendance.
The programme is in its infancy in County Wicklow but has been a success in other counties across Ireland. The objective is to save young people’s lives using a ‘shock and awe’ approach.
Students in attendance receive first-hand accounts from members of An Garda Síochána and Wicklow Fire Services about accidents they have attended that resulted in fatal consequences due to driver error.
This event is the first of four, scheduled during each academic year, with participants from various secondary schools in County Wicklow. It is estimated that 900 students will attend annually.
This inaugural event heard road safety messages from two national ambassadors, Footballer Liam Scales and Rugby Player Josh van der Flier, who are both Wicklow natives.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Councillor Melanie Corrigan stated, “This initiative brings together an incredible team to give real-life insights into road safety. By learning from those on the frontlines, we can all understand not just the rules of the road, but the very real consequences of careless driving. The programme will help make County Wicklow’s roads safer for all.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented that, “Wicklow County Council is delighted to partner with Wicklow Rotary Club to bring Just One Life to fruition for transition year students in County Wicklow. I look forward to this programme's success and to seeing these young people, and all future attendees, driving responsibly.”
Garda Inspector Michelle Byrne, Roads Policing, said “Initiatives like these are necessary to highlight the stark reality of how one poor decision behind the wheel can have far-reaching consequences, not only for the driver of a vehicle but for their passengers and other road users and indeed the families of all those involved. We must all take personal responsibility for our actions on our roads and, in particular, our driving behaviours. As a result of this Road Safety initiative, I look forward to seeing responsible young drivers leading the way in relation to road safety.”
Theo Phelan, coordinator of the Just One Life project for Wicklow Rotary Club, extended his thanks to the transition year teachers in the local schools for their cooperation in organising the students and transport for the event. In a comment, he said, “The enthusiastic support of the teachers demonstrates the interest of our schools in the holistic welfare of their students and is a much welcomed development of the school curriculum.”
IMAGE
Picture 1: (L to R) Road Safety Officer Wicklow County Council Linda Healy, East Glendalough School Student - Daisy Evans, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Coláiste Chill Mhantáin student Joe Esmonde, Wicklow Rotary Club - Theo Phelan and Inspector Michelle Byrne. Photo Credit: Michael Kelly.
Picture 2: (L to R) Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Hugh Connolly, Road Safety Officer Wicklow County Council - Linda Healy, Artistic Director with the Mermaid Art Centre - Aoife Demel, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Theo Phelan - Wicklow Rotary Club and Garda Deirdre Murphy (Community Policing). Photo Credit: Michael Kelly
Picture 3: (L to R) Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Hugh Connolly, Sgt Brian Foley, Road Safety Officer Wicklow County Council - Linda Healy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Inspector Michelle Byrne and Wicklow Rotary Club - Theo Phelan. Photo Credit: Michael Kelly
Picture 4: (L to R) Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Hugh Connolly, Director of Services, Transportation & Infrastructure Wicklow County Council - Joe Lane, Theo Phelan - Wicklow Rotary Club, Road Safety Officer Wicklow County Council - Linda Healy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Inspector Michelle Byrne, Sgt Brian Foley and Garda Deirdre Murphy (Community Policing). Photo Credit: Michael Kelly
Picture 5: Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan and Theo Phelan (Wicklow Rotary Club). Photo Credit: Michael Kelly