07 July 2011
Oxegen Fans Urged to Consider Public Transport
With 85,000 people expected to attend ‘Oxegen’ this weekend, The Road Safety Authority (RSA), Oxegen promoters MCD and Kildare County Council are appealing to music fans travelling to and from the festival to travel safely. Festival goers should consider using public transport if they can; let someone else do the driving to get them to and from the festival safely. If they are travelling by car they need to take extra care as the roads will be very busy with others travelling to and from the festival also.
Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, RSA said “I would encourage everyone attending Oxegen this year to consider using public transport to get to and from Punchestown. Leave the keys at home and choose the safer, greener, cheaper and hassle free way to get to the festival. Or if there is a big group in an area going to Oxegen organise a private bus to drop you off and collect you when the festival is finished. Details on public transport options can be found on http://www.buseireann.ie”
Mr. Brett continued “This weekend is about enjoying the best of Irish and international music in the company of friends. If driving is essential, please do not take any chances. Slow down, Never ever drink or drug drive, make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt and don’t use your phone while driving. After the weekend you will most likely be suffering from a lack of sleep and stuck behind the wheel for hours so beware of the ‘silent killer’, Driver Fatigue. Drink plenty of coffee, take frequent breaks and power naps, and do not try to fight sleep at the wheel, opening the window won’t stop you falling asleep. Pull over and take a 15 minute nap, make sure you make it home.”
Mr. Justin Green, Oxegen Promoters said “At all times safety is of paramount importance and we would strongly urge all fans travelling to and from the festival to heed the advice of the RSA and Kildare County Council. This is the eighth year that we have worked together to ensure road safety is made a priority for everyone attending the event. As public transport gets priority to and from the site, we would urge people to use public transport and make use of the free park and ride facility at Goffs on the N7.”
Kildare's road safety officer Declan Keogh had this message for festival goers, “People are already aware of the risks associated with drink driving, and thankfully, they are now becoming more aware of the dangers and consequences of drug driving. Our aim is to link in with festival goers and highlight the effects of driving while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, and every effort is being done for this because let's face it, if a person drives while off their head, it could be the last trip they ever have!”
The RSA will target festival goers to Oxegen with mobile advertising billboards and road safety messages will be played on the big stage screens. Oxegen line-up programmes will also carry anti-phone texting messages.
For further information please contact.
Communications Department Road Safety Authority, 096 – 25008