A Killybegs woman has been honoured as one of Ireland’s top driving instructors after scooping the Irish Road Safety Association’s “Leading Lights” Award for being an Approved Driving Instructor.
Now Diane Harvey, plans to use her new title to promote a culture of safe driving in south west Donegal.
Diane (33) was presented with the title at a function in Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin last week.
Presenting the awards the chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne, praised Diane and all the category winners as “a group of determined people doing vital, life-saving work around the country to support the efforts made by the RSA and other road safety stakeholders.”
Yesterday Diane was guest of honour at the official opening of FDR Tyres, Donegal Town, and used the opportunity to promote her message of safety on the roads.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a Merc or a Micra”, she said, “as long as your car is in a safe and legal condition and you have the ability to always expect the unexpected.”
Diane herself has worked hard to earn her qualifications and build up her business, “D’s School of Motoring & Training”, Killybegs.
In 2010, she got support from the Donegal Local Development Company to get the business off the ground and was rewarded last year with a Donegal Enterprise Award.
She has also studied hard to pass all stages as an Approved Driving Instructor and even found time to get the coveted “Train the Trainer” certification. Now, her sights are set on passing on the skills she has acquired to young and old.
“My oldest student is 74 years of age”, she beams. “I have taken a special interest also in people who have learning difficulties and I am particularly keen to encourage young people to get properly qualified and to be fully aware of road safety. I am also offering special rehabilitation lessons for drivers who may be preparing to reapply for a licence after an illness”
Diane has formed a close relationship with youth groups in the south west Donegal area and runs “pre-theory” courses a number of times a year.
She is also active on Facebook and her page, dsschoolofmotoring@gmail.com, carries tips and advice, sets road safety quizzes and answers questions about driving dilemmas and best practice.
She feels that one thing that makes her stand out from the crowd is that she does the job full-time.
“I was delighted”, she says, “that I was nominated for the RSA Leading Lights award by another Approved Driving Instructor, Field’s Driving School, Ardara, and by students and parents who wrote in on my behalf.”
Picking up her award last Wednesday, Diane was in good company with Donegal County Council’s Eamonn Brown, who was presented with the “Leading Lights” award as Road Safety Officer.
“It was great to see two ‘Leading Lights’ awards coming to Donegal”, she said. “Hopefully, we will be able to build on that and increase awareness of road safety in the county.”
Speaking at the FDR Depot opening yesterday, Eamonn Brown urged special care over Christmas and the New Year period and suggested that people coming home on holidays should be extra vigilant if they haven’t been driving for a while or perhaps are using hired cars.
Said Diane Harvey: “I intend to work closely with the County Council and with the Gardaí to promote safety on the roads. I have received a lot of encouragement from Eamonn Brown, from the Garda Traffic Corps and from our local Sergeant in Killybegs, Tom Mitchell. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“There will probably always be deaths and injuries on the roads but if we can prevent even one person from becoming a casualty, it is worthwhile”, she said. “It’s a frightening thought that 70% of road accidents happen less than a mile from home. Always expect the unexpected and belt up every time.”
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