Leading insurer Hibernian has chosen Letterkenny as the launch pad for its new driving school. Using qualified driving instructors combined with reduced insurance premiums for pupils, the new Hibernian Driving School is the first initiative of its kind in Ireland.
Leading insurer Hibernian has chosen Letterkenny as the launch pad for its new driving school. Using qualified driving instructors combined with reduced insurance premiums for pupils, the new Hibernian Driving School is the first initiative of its kind in Ireland. Well-known Letterkenny man, Paul McGuckin, will operate the Letterkenny School for Hibernian. With road safety firmly in mind the Hibernian Driving School in Letterkenny will be the first such venture in the country. More schools will be launched in Limerick, Cork and Dublin over the next few weeks before a nationwide rollout.
Ireland is currently far behind our European peers when it comes to driving lessons. However research by Behaviour & Attitudes among motorists in Ireland also shows that 85% of respondents believe that provisional licence holders should take a specified number of lessons before being allowed on the public road. More than half of respondents also think that the driving test is too easy and should be made tougher to pass. These findings have particular relevance for young and inexperienced drivers who account for a disproportionate number of fatalities on Irish roads.
Speaking about the launch of Hibernian Driving School, Michael Bannon, motoring services manager at Hibernian, said: "At the core of Hibernian is the concept of ‘Good Thinking', the Hibernian Driving School has good thinking written all over it and is part of our campaign to improve road safety. With no single remedy to improved road safety, a combination of education, enforcement and engineering is seen to hold the key. We believe the Hibernian Driving School will play a large part in improving road safety through delivering the highest standard when it comes to the education of pupils.
"At Hibernian Driving School we don't just teach pupils how to pass the driving test. As well as teaching pupils to control their vehicle we improve their decision-making skills, driving attitude and behaviour, which is vital for their future as a driver both in terms of their safety and the safety of others.
"The fact that taking lessons with Hibernian Driving School is linked directly to reduced motor insurance premiums from Hibernian is an added bonus for the pupils and also shows the confidence we have in the abilities and results of the Hibernian Driving School instructors in teaching people to drive safely."
Hibernian Driving School instructors have undergone specific driver training with the Institute of Advanced Motoring. This puts them a step ahead of the current regulations governing driving instructors and gives pupils the renowned peace of mind and trust synonymous with Hibernian.
Hibernian Driving School will offer pupils a modular based training programme tailored to their specific needs. In addition, pupils will also get an exclusive discount on their Hibernian car insurance premiums or can avail of free "Accompanied Named Driver Cover" for up to six months when they purchase 10 or more lessons (if their parent, spouse or partner is a Hibernian motor insurance policyholder).
Currently anyone with a full driving licence can set-up as a driving instructor with no legal requirement to undergo specific training or provide a suitable training vehicle with dual controls. Hibernian driving school cars provide a comfortable environment to take lessons in, with dual controls, air conditioning and one of the highest NCAP safety ratings. Having already undertaken specific driver training with IAM, Hibernian Driving School instructors will also enjoy the benefits of ongoing IAM Quality Assurance and Continual Professional Development to ensure they continually deliver the highest possible quality driver training to pupils. This means that not only will Hibernian Driving School instructors take a friendly, patient approach to teaching pupils to drive safely but will also be fully qualified to provide training.
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For further media information:
Alan Tyrrell
Media Relations Manager
Hibernian Insurance
Telephone: 898 5452
Mobile: 086 850 8673
Notes to editors:
- Hibernian group is Ireland's largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions.
Hibernian group is a subsidiary of Aviva plc, the world's fifth-largest insurance group and the UK's largest insurance services provider (based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2006), and is one of the leading providers of life and pension products to Europe, with substantial positions in other markets around the world. Aviva employs 59,000 staff worldwide.
Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.