Working with dangerous drivers will save lives, says group who've done it

The programme is a road safety initiative which seeks to improve the driving behaviour of some of the higher risk groups of drivers.

The candidates for the course are initially identified through the justice and legal system and committed to completing a course consisting of four three-hour modules. These are:

- Emotional control;

- Social responsibility;

- Driving under the influence;

- The consequences of antisocial driving behaviour.

The project, based in Letterkenny, said its work with convicted dangerous drivers has hugely reduced the number of repeat offenders.

Some 110 people have taken part in the courses over a three-year period (12 courses have been run in that time). Of them, only one person has reappeared in court in connection with road traffic offences.

"Figures indicate a usual repeat-offence rate of 28% within two years, with most of that happening in year one, so it's a huge reduction," said Gary Doggett, who helped delvelop the programme.

Candidates are encouraged to talk about their experiences behind the wheel in a peer-learning environment.

"When we get behind the wheel, social etiquette goes out the window," said Gary. "We would never scream obscenities at someone walking down the street, but people think it's acceptable behind the wheel of a car.

"We try to address poor decision-making based on impulsivity, and encourage candidates to communicate respectfully with each other and with the gardaí."

They are now calling for the scheme to be rolled out in other parts of the country, saying the work can help to save lives.

"Driver rehabilitation programmes can reduce re-offending by up to 50%," said Gary, adding that in Ireland in 2012, there were more than 24,000 convictions for road traffic offences.