A successful Government campaign to educate convicted drink drivers in Northern Ireland is making a “significant contribution” to road safety, say organisers.

More offenders are attending “eye-opening” alcohol rehabilitation courses leading to a reduction in re-offending rates.

New figures reveal that 800 successfully completed the new look courses introduced last year by the TTC Group, compared with 449 in 2008.

TTC Group Managing Director Jenny Wynn (pictured)urged every solicitor to ask courts to refer all drink drive clients onto the course to ensure they did not miss out on the opportunity.

Motorists convicted by Northern Ireland courts can volunteer to attend the 18 hours of education delivered over the three day classroom course. In return they get the knowledge to avoid a repeat offence and up to a quarter off their driving ban.

TTC is the UK’s largest provider educating almost 11,000 offenders each year with their courses praised for reducing re-offending rates.

The Transport Research Laboratory has carried out independent research to show that drink drivers do benefit from alcohol education leading to a reduction in repeat offences, said Mrs Wynn.

There were 4,178 drink drive arrests in the province last year with 1,347 referred onto a course. Out of these, 800 attended a total of 67 drink drive rehabilitation courses, new figures reveal. More from the “2009 intake” are expected to attend the course in early 2010.

An estimated 1,200 will attend the course out of the original 1,347 referalls – a 90 per cent successful attendance record.

“We are pleased that we have significantly increased the numbers attending courses in Northern Ireland. Our staff are making a significant contribution to road safety in the province,” said Mrs Wynn.

Many drink drivers re-evaluate their attitudes and behaviour and realise how dangerous and damaging it is to mix drinking with driving after attending the classroom education, revealed TTC trainers.

"They go away changed people. Their perceptions are altered. People leaving our courses have more knowledge about the dangers of drink driving. The courses are an eye opener for them," said trainer Eddie Phair (pictured right).

"As a trainer I find it very rewarding to have such a positive impact on people's lives."
A Belfast businessman stopped by police on the way to work said he had not realised he would be over the limit the next day. He was convicted in court and banned for 18 months with a £200 fine.

“I learned a lot on the course. It makes you think,” he said.

Stephen Ewing (pictured below)who covers Londonderry and Omagh courses, said that people were shocked by the amount of alcohol in wine and the effects that alcohol can have on general health. They were also unaware about how long it takes for the body to get rid of alcohol and the dangers of driving the next day while still over the drink drive limit.

Don’t drink any alcohol at all when driving – not even one drink – that is the message from an Omagh businessman convicted of drink driving after being caught by police on the way home from a village pub after drinking five pints of lager after work.

He said the education course was good and he “learned a lot” of information including how long alcohol stays in the blood.

“My advice would be not to take the first drink if you are driving because it always tastes nice and you want some more. Don’t take one mouthful and you will not get into trouble.”

The TTC Group annually trains tens of thousands of motorists in drink and drug drive awareness, speed awareness, the National Driver Improvement Scheme and the RIDE scheme for motorcyclists. It also runs corporate driver training courses for fleet managers. More information at www.ttc-uk.com