2FM launches road safety campaign with famous faces

2FM has teamed up with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the Gaelic Players Association, the FAI, the IRFU and a host of Irish musicians to record road safety messages which will be broadcast on 2FM over the coming weeks.

Well-known Irish faces across the world of sport and music including, The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue, Lyra, Irish Rugby internationals Andrew Porter and Aoife Wafer, Irish Women’s Soccer team goalie Courtney Brosnan, and a host of GAA intercounty players including Seán O’Shea of the Kerry Football team and Grace Walsh from Kilkenny Camogie, will be appealing to drivers to travel safely on the roads and arrive alive.

The number of road fatalities so far this year in Ireland stands at 103 and underlines how Irish road safety is continuing to trend in the wrong direction.

2023 was the worst year for road deaths in nearly a decade, with 188 deaths. 2024 is tracking to be worse again.

Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ Digital Audio and of RTÉ 2fm said: “We’re very happy to support this campaign here at 2FM and hope it serves as a gentle reminder to our listeners to slow down, stop for a break if they’re tired and stay safe while driving.

“RTÉ 2FM will be taking to the road for upcoming festivals including Electric Picnic in Stradbally and Dublin’s We’ve Only Just Begun festival, bringing listeners live interviews and performances from some of the hottest names in the business. We want all our listeners to arrive safely and our presenters look forward to seeing them there.”

Sam Waide, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, welcomed the partnership with 2FM. “We need to let people know that speeding, intoxicated and distracted driving are contributing to death and serious injury on our roads.

“Our recent observational study showed one in two drivers exceeding 30, 50 and 60km/h speed limits. In a separate study, one in ten drivers admitted driving after drinking alcohol last year.

“Our research indicates higher levels of social acceptability of drink-driving in recent years, and that one in four drivers believe it is acceptable to drive short distances after having a drink.

“There are also high levels of mobile phone use in Ireland. Survey research from 2023 has indicated that approximately one in five motorists are checking their phones while driving.”

The short audio messages will be broadcast on 2FM over the coming weeks.