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 on the 29th April 2024. 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.
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).
