TTC 2000, the largest provider of the courses in the UK, was successful in a recent tendering competition and will begin providing local courses later this month.
The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) had been responsible for the delivery of this initiative since its introduction in 1998 and was instrumental in its development from an initial pilot in the Belfast area to a successful rehabilitation scheme throughout Northern Ireland.
PBNI’s role in developing the course was singled out for praise by the Minister. Mr Wilson said: “I appreciate the real benefits of the courses that have been provided by PBNI and recognise the commitment made by this organisation over the last ten years.
“Reconviction rates of participants who attend this course are almost four times lower compared with those who were considered by a court to be suitable but failed to enrol for a course.
“There is little doubt that this level of success is due in no small measure to the quality of the courses and the dedication of the PBNI teams involved."
Mr Wilson welcomed the appointment of TTC 2000 to deliver the new contract: “My Department looks forward to working alongside TTC 2000 in the delivery of a programme which has also proven to change attitudes and behaviours of drivers convicted of drinking and driving.
“This is a company with wide experience in the road safety field, already delivering rehabilitation courses to over 10,000 drink drivers annually in Great Britain. I am confident that together we can build on current success and further reduce incidences of drink drive re-offending in Northern Ireland.”
Notes to Editors
- The Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 gave courts a sentencing option for dealing with drink-drive offenders. The court can make an order that an offender’s period of disqualification be reduced by up to 25%, on satisfactory completion of a rehabilitation course.
- The purpose of the courses is to educate offenders on the dangers associated with drinking and driving and to help them to avoid repeat offending.
- A pilot course ran from April 1998 to December 2005 to allow courses to be considered as a sentencing option for convicted drink drivers. Following very positive course evaluation, the scheme was made permanent from 1 January 2006.
- During 2006, there were 3686 people convicted of drink driving offences, 1283 were considered suitable by courts to attend a course and of these, 543 enrolled for a course and 517 successfully completed the course.
- The new provider will continue to provide courses in Belfast, Londonderry, Omagh, Ballymena and Armagh.
- Course options will include week day, weekend and evening courses and translation will be arranged for non English speaking attendees.
- There will be no direct cost to DOE as the cost of providing courses will be met from course fees paid by convicted drink drivers.
- For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
