Inaugural Road Safety Youth Forum discusses key road safety issues affecting young people

• The Road Safety Youth Forum aims to deepen engagement and provide a safe space for young people to discuss their common concerns

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) held its inaugural Youth Forum in Dublin today. The forum, consisting of 20 young people between the ages of 12-25, aims to start a conversation and provide a safe space for young people to discuss their common road safety concerns.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Mr. Jack Chambers, attended today’s inaugural forum, which will meet eight times over a two-year period.

During the course of the day, the participants agreed on safety topics which the group will investigate and champion. They also provided feedback on youth-orientated media and digital campaigns and education initiatives.

Following engagement with an extensive number of youth organisations, the RSA requested nominees from groups to ensure that the group is representative of young Irish people. There will be an opportunity for further members to join the forum in coming months.

Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: “The role of the youth forum is to identify key road safety issues concerning young people and to bring the youth’s perspectives and visions together to identify possible solutions to provide safer roads for road users in Ireland. The opinion of our young people is so important. It will go some way to influencing our priorities in road safety and I am so pleased with the contributions of the group here today.”

Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson, RSA said: “It is important that we include younger generations in discussion on road safety concerns, solutions, and initiatives. The youth forum is an opportunity to influence decision making, and suitable recommendations brought forward by the groups will be brought to senior management in the RSA for discussion and potentially to other organisations. Substantial proposals can potentially be brought to Government for consideration. We were delighted with the level of participation we saw at today’s session, and we look forward to the constructive discussions we will have with this group and the work we will do together in the coming years.”

As part of the development of the current Government Road Safety Strategy, Liz O’ Donnell, Chairperson of the RSA, had requested the inclusion of an action to involve young people in the future of road safety, which prompted the commencement of this forum. The action, number 92, is featured in the current phase of the strategy (Phase 1, 2020-2024).

The National Participation Office as part of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is providing its expertise to support the inaugural RSA Youth Forum on Road Safety and welcomes this initiative that ensures the voice of children and young people will be heard in the decision-making process. 

Notes:

There have been 70 fatalities on Irish roads this year, 17 more than the equivalent period last year. Young road users are the highest risk age group, with those aged between 16 and 25 accounting for 30% of fatalities this year. In 2023, this age group was also the highest risk category, accounting for 26% of fatalities.

The National Participation Office (NPO) was established in 2021 within the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to manage and coordinate the activities of Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils), Dáil na nÓg (youth parliament), the representative Comhairle na nÓg National Executive, the National Youth Assembly of Ireland and other related youth participation initiatives and structures.

DCEDIY directs, oversees and supports the work of the NPO and collaborates with the office on cross-Government engagement with child and youth participation structures.

The NPO provides guidance and support in the consultation of children and young people. For further information please contact them at [email protected].