RSA Launches EU Night Without Accident Saturday 17th October
Young Adults Take Part in Campaign Across 27 EU Countries

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) will be holding the third ‘European Night Without Accident’ this Saturday 17th October as part of ‘Irish Road Safety Week’. The initiative is aimed at promoting responsible behaviour behind the wheel among young adults.

The initiative is run by young adult volunteers who encourage groups of youngsters entering night-clubs to appoint a ‘designated driver’ for the night. The ‘designated driver’ is given a wrist-band to show their intention to stay alcohol-free for the night. When leaving the night-club, the ‘designated driver’ is invited to be voluntarily breathalysed by the volunteers to see if the commitment was honoured.

Results from last year’s ‘European Night Without Accident’ showed a high number of young people acted as designated drivers and chose to abstain from drinking and driving on the night.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr Noel Brett, CEO, RSA, said: ‘We are delighted to host the third ‘European Night Without Accident’ in Ireland as part of ‘Irish Road Safety Week’. Last year, the initiative was a great success with the majority of young people demonstrating positive attitudes to not drinking and driving. So this year, we are urging everyone planning a night out on the town to be equally responsible. Don’t get behind the wheel of the car if you have been drinking. Look for an alternative mode of transport and remember, just one drink impairs driving. So let’s make sure that this weekend, and every weekend, is free from drink driving and free from collisions on our roads,” added Mr. Brett.

Speaking in advance of the “European Night Without Accident” this weekend, Ms. Fionnuala Sheehan, Chief Executive of MEAS and drinkaware.ie welcomed the initiative being run by the RSA this weekend. “drinkaware.ie reminds young adults to take responsibility for their own drinking. If you are heading out on a night out, the message is to plan ahead and if you are the designated driver, don’t drink and drive. You can get the low-down on why drinking and driving is never a good idea on drinkaware.ie, as well as links to public transport in your area at www.drinkaware.ie. The No Nonsense student guides and information about what constitutes a standard drink will be distributed as part of the RSA goody bag at participating nightclubs this weekend.

‘European Night Without Accident’ will take place in 9 counties in Ireland on Saturday 17th October. The locations are; Carlow Town, Co. Carlow, Naas, Co. Kildare, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Waterford City, Co. Waterford, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Cavan Town, Co. Cavan, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Navan, Co. Meath, Dundalk, Co. Louth. The campaign is part of a Europe-wide initiative which will be taking place in 200 nightclubs in 27 European countries on the same night. Local Authority Road Safety Officers nationwide, the local Garda Traffic Corps, Health Service Executive and volunteers from local colleges, third level institutions and communities will be taking part in the initiative to promote the need for responsible driving among young adults. The event is supported by the Irish Nightclub Industry Association and by drinkaware.ie .

This is the third year that Ireland has participated in the initiative which was launched by the Responsible Young Drivers (RYD) in Belgium in 1995.

ENDS
For further information, please contact:
RSA Communications Office: 096 25008
Or
Brian Farrell, Communications Manager: 086 3881009

List of participating Night Clubs and Local Organisers