Initiative details
In Ireland, 43% of Learner Drivers practice unaccompanied, leading to an average of 10-12 fatal road collisions amongst this cohort annually.
This dissertation examined and investigated the Learner Driving process currently established in Ireland with a view to evaluating its effectiveness.
As part of the EDT programme in Ireland, learner drivers are recommended to undertake 36 hours of supervised driving. There is no requirement to log these hours currently unlike international best practice where supervised training hours are logged. When learner driver practice hours are required to be logged in Ireland, there will be a cohort of drivers who are unable to access a vehicle or sponsor for on-road driving practice.
This dissertation examined and investigated the Learner Driving process currently established in Ireland with a view to evaluating its effectiveness.
As part of the EDT programme in Ireland, learner drivers are recommended to undertake 36 hours of supervised driving. There is no requirement to log these hours currently unlike international best practice where supervised training hours are logged. When learner driver practice hours are required to be logged in Ireland, there will be a cohort of drivers who are unable to access a vehicle or sponsor for on-road driving practice.
Initiative date
to
Who was/is your target audience?
Policy makers
Public authorities
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Parents
Car drivers
Car drivers – professional
Educational staff
Topic
Create awareness
Education in school or in community organizations
Provide alternative solutions
Organisation details
LDSP Ireland CLG
Enterprise
Ireland
Leixlip, Co Kildare
Contact name
Cliodhna Jordan MSc MBA FCII
Telephone number
+353876747005
ldspireland@gmail.com
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
LDSP Ireland CLG currently has two directors - Aidan Jordan & Cliodhna Jordan. AXA have agreed to partner the organisation for insurance, and close contacts have been established with LDMP project leaders in Australia/New Zealand for consultancy and guidance.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
As a result of primary research carried out in 2018 for this dissertation, and concluding recommendations, The Learner Driver Support Programme (LDSP Ireland CLG) was established in September 2022. LDSP models Learner Driver Mentor Programs (LDMP) currently operating in New Zealand and Australia. LDSP intends to provide a vehicle and sponsor to learner drivers to practice on-road supervised driving in a safe environment.
Evaluation
What has been the effect of the activities?
The dissertation has led to the establishment of LDSP Ireland CLG. LDSP has been designed to assist learner drivers in accessing a sponsor and vehicle so they can gain the recommended 36 hours of on-road supervised driving practice. We are currently sourcing funding to establish a pilot programme which will reach 20 learner drivers, engage 20 volunteer sponsors and carry out 1500 hours of on-road driving practice in a safe environment.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Road collisions are the main cause of death among 15-29 year olds (WHO 2015). Learner drivers need mentoring and support in learning how to drive and reach the goal of obtaining a full driving licence. Without this type of support, some learner drivers will drive unaccompanied resulting in road collisions and injury to themselves and other road users.
Learner Driver Mentor Programmes (LDMPs) have been operating successfully in Australia and New Zealand since early 2000, as a social support strategy to assist learner drivers attain their drivers licence.
Learner Driver Mentor Programmes (LDMPs) have been operating successfully in Australia and New Zealand since early 2000, as a social support strategy to assist learner drivers attain their drivers licence.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Dissertation document and recommendations have been shared with the Road Safety Authority (in Ireland) RSA, Local and regional road safety organisations, government ministers etc. The dissertation is cited on academia and has been the reference point for other research undertaken. We have established several social media outlets for publishing results, information and so on, and have engaged with local and national media in relation to road safety initiative. LDSP Ireland CLG are currently supporting a Learner Driver and Sponsor Awareness week in liaison with ADI Unite Union in advance of the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the EDT programme in Ireland. Full dissertation can be located at:https://www.academia.edu/43243091/An_Evaluation_of_the_Learner_Driving_Process_In_Ireland_Category_B_Cliodhna_Jordan