Disability activist Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird has said that she was "shocked" by a Road Safety Authority (RSA) advertising campaign which is aimed at preventing drink and drug driving, labelling it as "ableist".
The campaign was posted to social media platforms, including X, with the tag line "when you lose your licence, you become reliant on other people to take you where you need to go and you become a burden for others".
"It was quite bizarre to see the word 'burden' used in their ad campaign, the idea that people that don't drive are burdens to those around them, that really struck a chord with me as a wheelchair user who can't drive so I rely on my parents to give me lifts here and there, so I often do feel like a burden," Ms Ní Hoireabhaird said.
"I know that's a very ableist thought I put on myself, but to hear a Government-affiliated organisation putting that back out on me was very strange to me, I disliked it."
A number of politicians have also criticised the wording and tone of the campaign.
When you lose your licence, you become reliant on other people to take you where you need to go and you become a burden for others.
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) August 19, 2024
If you get caught drink or drug driving, you will be disqualified 🚫
🔗 https://t.co/bqecGYVfkN#RoadSafety #DriveSafely #VisionZero pic.twitter.com/fs9iQZtJIi
Former minister of state Ciarán Cannon accused the RSA of having a "consistent message" that people should "get yourself into a car, and stay in one for life".
The Fine Gael TD added that the campaign makes people who do not drive the target for ridicule.
Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan described the campaign as "ableist [and] offensive" and said that "not even a major reform can save" the RSA.
"People who cannot or do not drive are not a burden," she added.
The RSA said that the campaign is aimed at tackling dangerous driving behaviour, particularly among younger male drivers.
Following feedback from focus groups with young drivers last year, the possibility of losing their licence was key to improving driver behaviour, the RSA said.
It said: "Participants in the focus groups admitted that being forced to ask for lifts from friends and relatives due to a driving ban was something they dreaded.
"They perceived their licence as being the key to their independence and they indicated that the prospective loss of their licence could fundamentally shift their driving behaviours.
"As such, the campaign focuses on their perception of the consequences of losing their licence."
Ms Ní Hoireabhaird said that she was "disappointed" by the RSA's response.
"I feel like it didn't properly address criticisms of ableism it has been accused of by different organisations," she said.
"I think organisations like the RSA should be taking accessibility, disability, ableism into account when they produce any sort of ad campaign or even a social media post.
"It should be at the forefront of their mind, but unfortunately it's not so that perpetuates the ableism we see in Ireland."
Earlier this month, the Taoiseach said that the RSA may need to be streamlined so that it is "dedicated wholly and exclusively to road safety and advocacy".
Simon Harris said that a review is currently examining the role of the RSA and that it is due to "come to Cabinet this autumn".
