Ballymena branch members take part in RoSPA Advanced Driver Course

Course attendees gained an insight into what it takes to drive at an advanced driver ability and standard, ensuring the safety of themselves and passengers when driving on Northern Ireland’s roads.

Autoline Insurance Group and RoSPA first established a relationship over 2 years ago and in 2013, the charity was selected as the Insurance Broker’s ‘Charity of the Year’ 2013. RoSPA first became involved with Autoline through the insurance broker’s revolutionary Road Safe Reward App, an innovative telematics solution aimed at young drivers. The app provides drivers with a rating score based on their driving performance per journey, with RoSPA providing a free online coaching service for App customers to help improve their driving behaviour on the road and ultimately the scores they achieve through the App.

The driving course facilitated by RoSPA was a condensed version of the Advanced Driver Qualification delivered by Advanced Drivers and Riders (RoADAR) as a gesture of their relationship and in gratitude to Autoline personnel for all their support and fundraising efforts in 2013. The aim of the ½ day course was for Autoline staff to develop advanced awareness skills and as such acquire a safer, more thoughtful and more disciplined way of driving. Through such training participants can reach an advanced level of driving, becoming more observant and conscious of changes in their surroundings as well as allowing drivers to be able to deal with various driving conditions and hazard perceptions.

Caroline Currie, Sales Director at Autoline Insurance Group said; “The tailored version of the Advanced Driving Course provided by RoSPA offered the perfect learning platform for our staff members in helping create greater awareness of the dangers on the road. The ‘Autoline Road Safe Reward App’ which is currently being used by numerous young drivers across Northern Ireland is not only saving drivers money but more importantly it follows the same principles as the Advanced Driver Course , helping to make young drivers better and more aware of their driving behaviour by coaching them to improve their driving score.

At Autoline we are passionate and committed to playing our part in improving road safety standards in Northern Ireland. We’re more than confident Andrew and Dean can take what they have learned back to their colleagues and share this experience throughout the branch.”

Philip Robb, Training Officer for RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders, who led the Advanced Driving Course added: “RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders (RoADAR) aims to reduce road accidents by encouraging an interest in road safety and by improving driving standards, knowledge and skill. It was inspiring to see the Autoline staff members showing a sincere interest in road safety. Each driver made a fantastic effort and showed a comprehensive knowledge of methodical and safe driving on Northern Ireland’s roads.”