EFA
European Driving Schools Association
The committee believes that developments in Driver Education in Europe are important for our industry and being a member of EFA is the best way to keep up to date and have an input into these developments.
We have been following this view for a number of years and delegates have attended EFA Congresses in Baden Baden, Germany in October 1998, and Brussels, Belgium in May 2000. Delegates attended the meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in October 2002. Our chairperson was a guest at the meeting in Landskrona, Sweden in May 2003 and delegates again attended the Congress in Prague, Czech Republic in October of that year.
The Association’s application to join was accepted at a meeting in Thessalonica, Greece in June 2004. Since joining the IDIA has been an active member and offered full support and commitment to the objectives of EFA
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Next EFA Meeting - 8 & 9 October 2010
Chişinău, Moldova.
- Next EFA Congress - 2012
Venue - To be announced
EFA Meetings and Congresses
Dublin 2010
Sat, 22/05/2010 - 10:59 — idiaEFA held it's 6 monthly meeting in Dublin, Ireland on 7th and 8th May 2010
IDIA Chairperson Cathy Bacon attended in her role of 2nd Vice President of EFA
and
Pauline Bohan, Paul Boylan, Kevin O’Byrne, and Toni Rust represented the IDIA and Ireland.
Election of Board of EFA
The outgoing Board consisting of
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President Gerhard von Bressensdorf – Germany,
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1st Vice President Lars Gunnarson – Sweden
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2nd Vice President Cathy Bacon – Ireland,
were proposed for re-election and were returned for a further three year term by the unanimous decision of the members.
New Memberships
- The Emirates Driving Company were confirmed as an Associate Member of EFA following a visit to Abu Dhabi by the Board of EFA in March were a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was agreed and signed between both organisations
- The Hong Kong Driving School was confirmed as an Associate Member of EFA. Mr Stephen Lui & Mr Julian Tse Kam Wah attended the meeting.
- The Swiss Driving Instructors Association - SFV (Schweizerischer Fahrlehrer Verband) - was confirmed as a member of EFA.
EU Matters
- Information was presented on the EU Directorate-General for Energy & Transport being split into the Directorate-General for Energy and the Directorate-General for Mobility & Transport creating a separate Directorate-General for Mobility & Transport.
- The EU Directive of Services and The EU Directive of Professional Drivers were reported on and discussed.
- Proposals were invited from EFA members for submission to the EU for the next strategy on Road Safety.
EU Projects
- Module Close To
- ERIC
- Hermes
were reported on and discussed.
ECOWILL
The new European project on Ecodriving called ECOWILL was introduced.
It will run from 1st May 2010 – 31st May 2013 and will focus on ecological driving producing fewer emissions and is targeted at both learners and drivers.
Mr Tarek Nazzal, ECOWILL Consultant to EFA attended the meeting.
Road Accident Statistics from across Europe
Up to date and very informative figures for road fatalities by year, by country, by type of user, type of vehicle and road accidents involving personal injury were presented.
Over the period 2000 – 2008 Ireland showed a reduction in Road fatalities of 32.3%, which is in line with the average across Europe but any road deaths will always be far too high.
There were also figures on Speed Limits and Blood Alcohol Limits (grams of alcohol in 1 litre of blood) across Europe
Generally Ireland fitted in with European Averages on speed limits however Ireland remains out of line on the blood alcohol limits at 0.8 along with Malta and the UK. The majority of other European countries have a limit of 0.5 with some at 0.2 or even 0.0
The IDIA as host association, would like to thank all who attended and contributed so much to a very successful meeting, despite unexpected difficulties caused by volcanic ash
13th EFA Congress - Budapest 2009
Wed, 28/10/2009 - 10:23 — idiaEFA held it's 13th Congress in Budapest on 9 and 10 October 2009
Chairperson Cathy Bacon (2nd Vice President of EFA) attended on behalf of the IDIA and Ireland
Hungarian State Secretary Dr. Lajos Csepi opened the Congress.
A very comprehensive and interesting programme followed.
Among the Speakers were:
Reinhard Meyer, Vice President CIECA (Germany)
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Spoke on: Developments within driver training and driver testing in Europe with regard to driver assistance systems.
George Galli-Atkinson, BSC LLB (United Kingdom).
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Spoke on: Lost life, broken families, regret is not enough.The effect a road death has on families.
Dr. Gregor Bartl, Project Manager – EU Project HERMES (Austria).
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Spoke on: Coaching.
Rita Pfeiffer, Project Manager – EU Project Module Close To (Austria).
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Spoke on: Peer training.
Norbert Hausherr, President, Austrian Driving School Association,
Prof. Dr. Nils Petter Gregersen, Road Safety Director (Sweden).
Michael Bahr, BASt (Germany)
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Spoke on: Accompanied Driving in Various Member Countries.
Stefan Keller, AUDI AG, Head of Product Marketing Equipment Electronic Engines.
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Spoke on: Driver Assistance Systems -.Advantages and objectives under technological aspects.
Han Rietman, CIECA. (Netherlands)
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Spoke on: Driver Assistance Systems in the view of testing organisations
Budapest 2009
Wed, 28/10/2009 - 12:26 — idiaEFA held it's 6 monthly meeting in Budapest, Hungary on 8th & 9th Octyober 2009
IDIA Chairperson Cathy Bacon (2nd Vice President of EFA) represented the IDIA and Ireland
Matters discussed included
- Report on the EFA Benchmark
- Directive of Services
- Automatic Regulation
- Directive of Professional Drivers
- Developments in Member Countries
EU Projects
- Hermes
- Module Close To
- Eric
- Leonardo da Vinci
The EFA Principals involved in these projects gave an update on progress from the EFA viewpoint.
The information on "Module Close To" and "Eric" was given By IDIA Chairperson, Cathy Bacon
In recent years the activities of EFA and the involvement of it’s members and particularly the board has increased many times.
Current EFA Activities include
- Partner for all EU-Organisations
- Takes part in the preparing of directives
- Clarification of information for Directives
- Central Office for all questions of the Driving Schools in Europe
- Internet-Research
- Translation of important mails and inquiries
- Preparation and organization of Meetings and Congresses
- Established the Benchmark for the Driving Schools
- Has knowledge about the Driving School market
- Is looking for new fields for the Driving Schools
Participates in many projects
- Trainer
- Agile
- ECO-Driving
- ECO-WILL
- MERIT
- HERMES
- Module Close to
- ERIC
- Leonardo da Vinci
Represents Driving School interests in European Congresses and Meetings
- CIECA
- Fit to Drive
- DAS –FAS
- OECD-Kongress WHO
Stockholm 2009
Tue, 07/07/2009 - 08:18 — idiaEFA held it's 6 monthly meeting in Stockholm, Sweden on 29th & 30th May 2009
IDIA Chairperson Cathy Bacon (2nd Vice President of EFA) represented Ireland
The meeting coincided with the 70th Anniversary of STR
The Swedish National Association of Driving Schools
EFA delegates were invited to partake in some of the celebrations for this memorable occasion
Matters discussed were
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The EU Directive of Services and the effect this might have for driving instructors and driving schools
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The 3rd EU Directive on Driving Lcences
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Module Close-To
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Hermes
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The pan European economic downturn and the effect this was having on driving schools and driving instructors, in member countries
The IDIA reported that the driving instruction business was at an all time low in Ireland due to the financial downturn
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EFA Meeting and Congress in Budapest - October 2009
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Developments in Member Countries
The IDIA presented a report on the virtual non-enforcement by the authorities and non-compliance by the public with the laws on Accompanied Driving for holders of Learner Permits (Provisional Driving Licences) and that this was adding to the difficulties driving instructors were already experiencing due to the economic downturn.
Cyprus 2008
Thu, 21/05/2009 - 23:12 — idiaadminEFA held it's 6 monthly meeting in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, on 3 and 4 October
The IDIA Chairperson, Cathy Bacon (2nd Vice President of EFA) represented Ireland
Dr Christian Heinrich presented the results of an in depth study on
"Requirements for the Profession of Driving Instructor in the EU Countries"
Matters discussed were
- The 3rd EU Directive on Driving licences
- Module Close-To
- Hermes
- EFA Meeting and Congress in Budapest - October 2009
- 2nd International Conference for Driving Instructors, Balatonvilagos, Hungary - 8 and 9 October 2008
- Our Chairperson as 2nd Vice President of EFA was invited to speak at this Conference
- Developments in Member Countries
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The IDIA presented an outline of the changes in Accompanying Driving for holders of Learner Permits (Provisional Driving Licences). This was welcomed by all present as a long over due requirement for Safer Driving
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Tallinn 2008
Fri, 22/05/2009 - 22:03 — idiaadminEFA held it's 6 monthly meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, on 3 and 4 May
The IDIA Chairperson, Cathy Bacon (2nd Vice President of EFA) represented Ireland
Sonja Sporstal, Secretary General of CIECA attended the meeting.
CIECA was formally made an Associate Member of EFA reciprocatimg EFA's Associate Membership of CIECA
Matters discussed were
- Module Close To
- EU Projects
- EU Directives
- Instructor Training and Preparation
- Publication of Test Results per Driving Instructor
The Delegates visited the Aide Driving School of Mr Enn Saard.
Aide Driving School was indeed impressive.
It included skid (slippery) surfaces on the straight and bends where pupils could experience the discomfort of skidding in safety.
There was a machine to create the sensation of an impact at speed
There was also a rotating car that spun on an axis and allowed pupils to experience the situation of being in a vehicle after it had rolled over several times and ended up on the roof They had to release their seat belts and climb out of a designated window. Not an easy task
Six delegates in two sets undertook this experience, including our Chairperson.
Experience just became a word for those doing it. Terrifying, horrific and completely disorientating was what the finding was. And this was not after an accident with passengers screaming and possibly injured.
These are only part of a compulsory driver education programme for learners and are particularly aimed at young drivers
12th EFA Congress - Bratislava 2007
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 15:52 — idiaEFA held it's 12th Congress in Bratislava on 5 and 6 October 2007
Cathy Bacon and Pauline Bohan attending on behalf of the IDIA and Ireland
A very full and interesting programme was presented
Among the Speakers were
Sonja Sporstol : Secretary General of CIECA and Head of Road Used Division in the Norwegian Road Administration
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Spoke on Driver Instructor Training in Norway
Annie Canel : European Commission Directorate General for Energy and Transport, Road Safety Unit
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Spoke on Driver Behaviour and Road Safety
Kay Shulte : German Road Safety Council
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Spoke on effective strategies to reduce the special high risk of traffic accidents of young drivers
Rita Pfeiffer : Austrian Mobility and Project Manager of Module Close-To
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Gave an address on the progress of the Project
Bratislava 2007
Sun, 07/06/2009 - 07:43 — idiaEFA held it's 6 monthly meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 4 and 5 October
The IDIA Chairperson, Cathy Bacon (2nd Vice President of EFA) and Secretary Pauline Bohan represented Ireland
Ms Annie Canel, of the European Commission Directorate General for Energy and Transport, Road Safety Unit
attended the meeting and took proposals from each country for improvements in Road Safety.
The IDIA proposed
Removal of un-accompanyied driving on 2nd provisional licence
Enforcement of the accompanying driving laws
Compulsory theory and practical tuition for all learner drivers
Other matters discussed included
- Progress on the EU 3rd Directive
- EU Projects
- Module Close-To
- Fit To Drive
- Hermes
Leipzig 2007
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 16:00 — idiaEFA held its 6 monthly meeting in Leipzig, Germany, on 12 and 13 April.
Ireland was represented at the meeting by the IDIA Chairperson, Cathy Bacon
Matters discussed, among others, were
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Progress on the EU 3rd Directive
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The EU Projects
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Hermes
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Close To
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Fit to Drive
Application for membership was received and accepted from Cyprus.
The Election of the Board
President Gerhard von Bressensdorf (Germany)and 1st Vice president Lars Gunnerson (Sweden) were retunred un-opposed.
Followibg the resignation of Daniel Blot as 2nd Vice president, an election was held for that position.
Cathy Bacon (Ireland) was elected 2nd Vice President
Following her election Cathy said
“This is a great honour for Ireland, the IDIA and of course for me personally. It reflects the commitment the IDIA has shown to European Driver Education during recent years. I will endeavour, during my 3-year term, to work to improve road safety, to advance driver education and to benefit all Irish driving instructors
There are currently 25 countries that are members of EFA
Sofia 2006
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 16:04 — idiaEFA held its 6 monthly meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria on 3 and 4 November.
Ireland was represented at the meeting by the IDIA Chairperson, Cathy Bacon
Matters discussed, among others, were
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Road Safety in Bulgaria
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Harmonisation of EU Driving Licences
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Finalisation of EFA Constitution
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Introduction of ECS (Electronic Stability Control) - Presented by Bosch
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Expansion of EFA
Our Chairperson addressed the meeting on the recent positive developments and proposals on Driver Education and Road Safety in Ireland
Applications for membership were received and accepted from Hungary and Moldova.
There are currently 24 countries that are members of EFA
.jpg "Cathy Bacon (IDIA) and Lars Gunnarson - EFA Vice President (Sweden)")