16 Deireadh Fómhair 2009
EU Night without Accident láinseáilte ag RSA
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.
‘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 professionals 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.
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.
For further information, please contact:
- Press Office: 096 25008
- Communications Manager, Brian Farrell: 086 388 1009
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