Win €3000 with your own anti drug driving short film
Dublin and Malta based motor insurer, Setanta Insurance is spearheading a campaign to Keep Drama off The Roads through raising awareness among young people of the dangers of drug driving.
Launching Monday 2nd November, the campaign, which is welcomed by the Road Safety Authority encourages young people to recognise the terrifying consequences of drug driving by creating short four-minute films to capture the dramatic impact of Ireland’s growing social problem.
A recent study illustrated Ireland’s increasing drug problem with one in five admitting they had taken illegal drugs, with young people aged 15-24 coming out on top[1].
The Keep Drama off the Roads campaign will see young people across Ireland compete for a national title, a €3,000 prize and the opportunity to have their film screened to the public. A series of regional finalists will also be selected and the regional winners will each be awarded with a €300 prize.
In 2008, almost 1,800 tests were carried out on motorists suspected of drug driving with around three quarters of them proving positive[2].
Setanta Insurance, Ireland’s fastest growing insurance company, hopes that through launching a campaign to educate young people on the real dangers of drug driving, the company demonstrates its commitment to making Ireland’s roads a safer place underpinning its mission of changing insurance for good.
Mike Matthews, Chairman and CEO, Setanta Insurance: “Drug driving is claiming the lives of road users. We believe raising awareness of the dangers and giving young people the freedom to be creative with a serious issue will highlight the problem and discourage the use of drugs behind the wheel.
This is a great opportunity for a young Speilberg or Scorsese to get their first taste of filmmaking with a tough and challenging brief. Issues surrounding irresponsible driving won’t just disappear, however we hope the first Keep Drama off the Roads campaign will really raise the profile of a problem which saw 711 recorded offences up to March this year alone.”
Those wishing to enter the competition should visit www.keepdramaofftheroads.ie for a full list of entry requirements and advice about making their short film. Closing date for entries is 31st January 2010 when an expert panel of judges made up of representatives from Setanta Insurance and the Road Safety Authority will shortlist the films which most highlight the hazards and impact of drug driving.
Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority: “Driving under the influence of drugs – whether prescribed medication or illegal substances – is just as dangerous as driving when under the influence of alcohol. It’s also against the law. Drugs can affect your mind and body in a variety of ways that mean you aren’t able to drive safely. Not only that, the effects can last for hours or even days.
“Setanta Insurance are to be commended for their efforts to raise awareness of this issue which will hopefully force drivers to think about the consequences of this killer behaviour.”
Facebook: Setanta Insurance – Keep Drama off the Roads
[1] Source: Drug Use in Ireland and Northern Ireland. First Results (Revised) from the 202/2003 Drug Prevalence Survey Bulletin 1. National Advisory Committee on Drugs.
[2] Medical Bureau of Road Safety.
