Article: New TV ads encourage motorists to improve behaviour

Seth Brundle

from breakingnews.ie

New TV ads encourage motorists to improve behaviour
26/04/2006 - 07:32:43

A new television advertising campaign encouraging motorists to improve their driving behaviour is due to get underway tonight.

The ads, which will focus on offences like dangerous overtaking and tailgating, are the latest attempt by the Road Safety Authority to reduce the carnage on Ireland’s roads.

Driver behaviour is blamed for many of the deaths on Ireland’s roads every year, but previous campaigns targeting speeding, drink-driving and the non-wearing of seat-belts have failed to make any impact.

Beruthiel

kbannon wrote:

which will focus on offences like dangerous overtaking and tailgating

and what are the chances of anyone actually listening.
The amount of people who tailgate in this country is frightening.

Darwin

I think its a complete and utter waste of money. What have effect have all the previous graphic TV ads had on road deaths? I think some people might be shocked watching them at the time, but forget all about it once behind the wheel again. Proper law enforcement is the only way to deal with this.

crosstownk

It's a start - but a lot more work is required to 'educate' drivers in Ireland. Our road network is reatively poor but improving. I've driven extensively in Europe and it's painfully obvious that most Irish drivers do not drive correctly on motorways - not to mention lunatic overtaking manoevers on roads with two way traffic.

I think that Irish drivers lack basic driving courtesy and have a tendancy to get very agressive over the smallest things. We all have to use the roads but so many drivers think they own the roads.

I can't see the advert having a major impact on it's own - but it might sow the seed - especially if its backed up with correct enforcement and further 'educational' tactics. If it's simply a once off thing then will be a pure waste of money.

mike65

It was mentioned on RTE lunchtime news - overtaking and right turns are two areas being highlighted.

Mike.

Sizzler

This aint gonna do fcuk all IMHO.

Do the fanta ads that say bamboucha make you want to go down the shops and buy a litre of fanta??

Exactly.

Anan1

Sizzler wrote:

This aint gonna do fcuk all IMHO.

Do the fanta ads that say bamboucha make you want to go down the shops and buy a litre of fanta??

Exactly.

Surely you're not suggesting that advertising doesn't work? It does.

Silvera

It's about time I say!

While these ads alone will not change driver behaviour overnight, as part of an overall 'road action plan' they are a step in the right direction.

The state of our roads leaves a lot to be desired and it is something which is rarely mentioned in the media. Just look at the amount of potholes, ruts, rough surfaces, etc. and there is no way that anybody can say that such surfaces do not play a part is some accidents.

In the past the govt could use the "lack of funds" excuse as a reason not to improve our roads - but not anymore with the economy booming!

We should look to Sweden as a model for best practice when it comes to road safety.
They use "the three E's" regarding road safety -

ENGINEERING
EDUCATION
ENFORCEMENT

.......and it's time that we did likewise!

Jumpy

Sizzler wrote:

This aint gonna do fcuk all IMHO.

Do the fanta ads that say bamboucha make you want to go down the shops and buy a litre of fanta??

Exactly.

I dont know about you. But I followed a random stranger to visit his Aunt in Helsinki after seeing that ad.

drdre

in my opinion its a waste of time and money.why not invest in putting more guards on the road and speed checks and the main thing is check people coming out of the pubs as thats the main problem