New Community Road Safety Campaign Launched at Rose of Tralee Festival
The Chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Mr. Gay Byrne was assisted by a selection of Roses and their escorts at the 50 year celebrations of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, to launch the RSA’s new road safety campaign which will bring a 21st century road safety experience directly to the heart of local communities nationwide.
The cornerstone of the new campaign includes a mobile interactive road safety Roadshow or ‘Shuttle’, which is full of ‘state of the art’ road safety technology including simulators and multimedia experiences.
“We call it the Shuttle”, says Road Safety Authority Chairman, Gay Byrne, “that’s because the first time we experienced the roadshow it was like walking thorough something from NASA. It will offer everyone in the community the chance to discover more about road safety in a fun learning environment. It really brings road safety to life.”
“Up to now the national road safety effort has been led by major media campaigns, which have been hugely successful. However we felt that something was needed to bring road safety directly into peoples’ everyday lives, at a face to face level. The ‘Road Safety Interactive Shuttle’ does just that.”
“So, if you are thinking of learning to drive, visit the Roadshow and try out the car simulator. Never ridden a motorcycle? Try the Honda motorbike simulator. Think you could react quickly in an emergency? Test yourself on the reaction timer. Never taken the driver theory test but secretly wondered how you’d score? Well then try one of the many on board Driver Theory Test computers. There are clever multi-media games that test your ability to spot hazards on the road. There is also the opportunity to learn about sustainable travel issues and to test yourself on the Smarter Travel bike. So, there really is something here for everyone, of all ages and all levels of experience.”
Speaking at the launch of the new campaign Mr. Anthony O’Gara, Managing Director, Rose of Tralee International Festival, said “We are delighted that the RSA has chosen the 50th Anniversary of the Rose of Tralee to launch their new road safety campaign. Around 200,000 people will visit Tralee over the six day festival so it’s the ideal location to showcase the new ‘Road Safety Interactive Shuttle’.
The ‘Road Safety Interactive ‘Shuttle’ will be on the road for 40 weeks of the year visiting towns, cities, college campuses, festivals and exhibitions throughout the country. Some of the highlights will include the Ploughing Championships and Top Gear Live! It is estimated that over 80,000 people, that’s equivalent to the total population of County Kilkenny, will pass through the ‘Road Safety Interactive Shuttle’ each year.
The ‘Road Safety Interactive Shuttle’ will play an integral role in increasing and developing road safety awareness at local and national level. The Shuttle has been fitted out and designed to the highest standard to include the following:
- A fully interactive, educational road safety experience
- A fully equipped presentation area, with lectern, projector, screen and seating for an audience of 25 people
- A driving simulator enclosed in a specially designed pod
- A motorbike simulator
- A bike simulator
- Reaction timers
- 6 x Computers equipped with the Driver Theory Test, questionnaires, interactive games, RSA website
- Exhibition areas to promote ‘themed’ road safety issues
- 2 Plasma screens showing a series of road safety advertisements and road safety programming
In addition to the ‘Road Safety Interactive Shuttle’ the RSA is also rolling out a new ‘Road Safety in the Community Programme’. This new resource will enable community leaders to deliver road safety education in their local communities.
The ‘Road Safety Interactive Shuttle’ is self funding thanks to the generous support of the following sponsors;
Reynolds Logistics: Who provide the logistical support to the RSA to get the ‘Road Safety Interactive Shuttle’ to each exhibition venue and assemble it on site.
Smarter Travel: As a result of a sponsorship deal with “Smarter Travel”, the Government’s sustainable travel and transport initiative led by the Department of Transport, we are helping to promote cycling. This is done through our interactive bicycle simulator which was purchased by “Smarter Travel” and through the distribution of promotional material and information.
Westward Scania: the Scania Truck, Bus & Coach Importers for Ireland, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon kindly supplied the RSA with a brand new Scania R420 Series tractor unit for a period of two years to tow the exhibition trailer
Pic jarlath sweeney – editor@fleet.ie