RSA Launches Largest Ever College Road Safety Programme Across Ireland
RSA launches biggest college road safety programme ever, visiting 23 institutions over seven weeks starting today at UCD to tackle rising youth fatalities.
The Road Safety Authority begins its most ambitious third-level education initiative today, targeting 23 colleges nationwide over the next seven weeks to tackle rising youth road fatalities.
Starting at University College Dublin's Freshers Week today, the RSA's groundbreaking programme represents the authority's first major campus-based safety initiative. The comprehensive seven-week tour will bring interactive road safety experiences directly to students across Ireland's third-level institutions.
The programme arrives at a critical time, with alarming statistics revealing that one in five road fatalities this year have involved people aged between 16 and 25. This demographic continues to represent a disproportionate number of casualties on Irish roads, prompting the RSA to target young adults with innovative educational approaches.
Students participating in the programme will experience hands-on demonstrations designed to highlight the real dangers of risky driving behaviours. The interactive elements include drink and drug driving simulation goggles that demonstrate impaired judgement and coordination, virtual reality headsets providing 360-degree views of crash consequences, and breathalyser units showing how easily people misjudge their alcohol levels.
Sam Waide, RSA Chief Executive, said:
"Young people are at the heart of Ireland's road safety story. Through this new programme, we're meeting students where they are, on campus, during Freshers Week, and giving them the tools, knowledge, and confidence to make safer choices."
The programme specifically targets common misconceptions around drink and drug driving, providing evidence-based information to counter dangerous myths that persist among young drivers. High-visibility materials will also be distributed to promote pedestrian and cyclist safety, particularly important for students navigating busy campus environments and nighttime activities.
RSA educators will establish ongoing relationships with student unions and campus communities, creating trusted networks for peer-to-peer communication. This approach recognises that young adults often respond better to messages delivered through their social circles rather than traditional authority figures.
Waide added: "By combining immersive experiences with open conversations, we want to shift mindsets and build a culture where looking after yourself and your friends on the road becomes second nature. Every decision behind the wheel matters, and every student has the power to influence safer roads."
The initiative represents a significant investment in preventative road safety education, moving beyond reactive measures to address risky behaviours before they become established patterns. With University College Cork likely among the 23 institutions included in the nationwide tour, local students can expect to encounter the programme during their upcoming freshers' activities.
The programme's timing during Freshers Week is strategic, targeting new students as they establish social patterns and make initial decisions about campus life, including transport choices and social activities that often involve alcohol consumption.
