Widespread criticism of the RSA’s new online road safety campaign is an example of “cancel culture in motion,” Ciara Kelly has warned.
The new campaign warns young people that if they are found guilty of drink or drug driving they will lose their licence - and ultimately their “independence.”
The video, which shows a young man being carried to various destinations by his friends and parents, has been criticised as ‘ableist’ and insensitive by campaign groups and disability activists.
Meanwhile, Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan labelled the video “ableist, offensive, car-brain nonsense,” and called for the RSA to be disbanded.
Disband the @RSAIreland . Not even a major reform can save it.
This is the worst kind of ableist, offensive, car brain nonsense they've ever produced. Money was spent on this ad. ? People who cannot or do not drive are not a burden. Delete this tweet and delete the @RSAIreland https://t.co/WXtXWhk6X9
— Neasa Hourigan TD (@neasa_neasa) August 19, 2024
On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Ciara Kelly rejected the arguments raging online about the campaign.
“I get the arguments, but it reminds me of Twitter in 2020 - consumed with outrage, consumed with pile-ons, consumed with, ‘We have to stop this, we have to put an end to that, we have to take down the other,’” she said.
“This is cancel culture in motion and I don’t like that in particular.
“I hate cancel culture. I hate the sanctimony of it. I hate the viciousness of it and I don't really buy it.
“I always think that it's about taking the legs out from under somebody and that's what it's really about.”
Disbanding the RSA
She added that calling for the RSA to be disbanded is “a bit premature.”
“I get the ableist argument but I still think there's probably validity in the ad,” she said.
“On balance, I think the ad is OK.
“I think there could be a point to the ableist criticism but I believe this is well-intended and will hopefully hit home with a few people.”
I often feel like a burden because I am forced to rely on my mam and dad to give me lifts. It feels great to have this ableist notion repeated back at me by a government-affiliated organisation. Very validating ? https://t.co/YcBJfKoIbT
— Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird (@niamhnih) August 19, 2024
Ciara also noted that she found the ad humorous.
“I think there’s a kind of humour in what it’s trying to do,” she said.
“They market different ads at men in their 20s than they do at women in their 60s.
“They're trying to reach a cohort of young men who maybe speed more than they should, who maybe drink and drive.
“Targeted marketing works - it’s a thing.”
Ciara added that those who lose their licence through a road offence have “made themselves a burden through their actions.”
Main image: Split image shows Ciara Kelly in studios along with a screen grab of the RSA's new ad.
