Continental Tyres and FAI team up to produce road safety video
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and German tyre manufacturer, Continental have joined forces to produce a new road safety awareness video highlighting the importance of ‘Sharing the Road’ for all road users.
The video, which features a selection of FAI staff, members and players representing the diverse spectrum of road users, is linked to Continental Tyres’ Vision Zero’ campaign which aims to eliminate collisions and fatalities on the road through innovative tyre and automotive technologies.
The FAI group that appears in the video includes:
Pearl Slattery, player with Shelbourne FC in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League – who represented the point of view of pedestrians
John Ward, the FAI’s head of referees who is an avid and committed cyclist
Emer Kane, FAI member and motorcyclist who loves her Ducati 900
Mark Scanlon, an FAI Development Officer who travels around the country promoting the game from grass roots upwards – represented the views of car drivers
Stephen Egan, FAI staff member who drives an FAI-branded Ford Transit for the Association – representing van and small lorry drivers
Lucky Singh, a bus driver from an Irish coach company that shuttles fans and players to and from matches.
As part of its ‘Sharing the Road’ information campaign, Continental Tyres hosted a moderated discussion on the topic of road safety – led by Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland – at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown.
The discussion focused on best practice and examples of ‘Sharing the Road’ among the different and sometimes competing road users, with a lack of communication identified by the group as their number one ‘pet peeve’. Other issues included drivers who do not use their indicators and pedestrians and cyclists who do not check both ways before crossing the road.
John (the motorist) and Lucky (bus driver) highlighted another common problem on Irish roads with both pedestrians and cyclists wearing earphones, sometimes rendering them oblivious to their surroundings and other road users. Drivers on mobile phones also emerged as a major talking point.
Pearl Slattery, the captain of Shelbourne Ladies FC who competes in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League, said: “It was a great opportunity to give my own insight on what sharing the road feels like as a pedestrian and to listen to other road users’ thoughts on our communication on the road.”
“It’s obvious that we’re all on the same page in terms of communication and awareness being key to good road user behaviour, similar to on pitch practice, but there is clear dissatisfaction and annoyance about certain bad habits and issues that needs to be addressed.” Slattery added.
The overall consensus among the volunteers was that their heroes are the bus drivers. Due to their extra training and professionalism on the road, bus drivers have gained a respect that other transportation areas are working to achieve.
Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres said: “We partnered with the FAI, whose members, staff and supporters clock up innumerable kilometres each year as they support football at every level across the country, and indeed in international events and championships.”
“Following our research in 2017, it was really interesting to hear this group reaffirm our findings that better communication between road users can lead to greater road safety. At Continental, we’re committed to using our many safety features to reduce accidents and fatalities, but human behaviour and error is something we need to focus on to really make this a reality.” Dennigan added.
“We will continue to promote road safety awareness with our FAI partners to help the membership understand road safety better. Next month, we’ll be delighted to welcome many managers, players and staff to our Vision Zero Live event at Mondello Race Circuit where participants will get the chance to get behind the wheel for a range of tyre safety and automotive technology demonstrations.” Dennigan concluded.