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A screengrab from the RSA's ad campaign.

Advertising Authority says controversial RSA ad 'not within remit' despite complaints

The recent campaign by the Road Safety Authority was described as “insensitive”, “misguided” and “ableist” by disability rights activists.

THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS Authority has said that a controversial road safety ad is outside its remit.

A recent campaign by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) targeting young men was described as “insensitive”, “misguided” and “ableist” by campaign groups and disability rights activists.

The ad features a young man who has been disqualified from driving and states “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”.

The Advertising Standards Authority received three complaints about the ad, but said it is not within its remit to act as “no commercial element” is involved. The campaign is instead “expressing the opinion on an issue of public interest”.

The RSA told The Journal “the campaign is aimed at tackling dangerous driving behaviours, particularly among younger male drivers”.

They added that the campaign was developed following feedback from focus groups with young drivers earlier this year.

Non-profit disability activists Access For All Ireland said in a lot of cases a car is the only option for people with disabilities “due to bad infrastructure and the lack of accessible inclusive public transport”, saying RSA should be “mindful of that when using ableist imagery and language in a national campaign”.

In a statement today, the Advertising Standards Authority said it has received three complaints about the ad.

“However, this campaign from the RSA is out of remit as there is no commercial element to it.

“Essentially, it is advertising that is expressing the opinion on an issue of public interest or concern as per Section 2.3f of the ASA Code.

“The Code does not apply to: Marketing communications whose principal purpose is to express the advertiser’s position on a political, religious, industrial relations, social or aesthetic matter or on an issue of public interest or concern.”

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    Oct 3rd 2014, 9:27 AM

    Lack of leg room is my only issue with Ryanair !!

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    Oct 3rd 2014, 12:39 PM

    The seats could be a tad more comfortable as well though. Even very short hall flights are a little too much.

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    Oct 3rd 2014, 9:08 AM

    For a low cost airline, travelling with Easyjet has always been a relatively decent experience. Compared with Ryanair (which feels much more anti-customer and a less comfortable experience) Easyjet is not too bad at all.

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    Oct 3rd 2014, 9:23 AM

    Easy jet are great to fly with very customer service based.ive flown with Ryanair countless times and never once had an issue.once you abide by their terms there’s no issue.unless you’re a cranky passenger that finds fault with everything

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    Oct 3rd 2014, 2:30 PM

    I guess I’m a cranky passanger… Just sat through the first economy flight in about 6 months, 40mins connecting to a 6 hour overnight in business. Even 40mins with my shoulders tilted to fit in the seat and an unpleasant neighbor in my personal space had me scowling at the crew…

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    Oct 3rd 2014, 4:07 PM

    Must have been tough on you having to mix with the common folk.

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    Oct 3rd 2014, 11:35 PM

    Heart bleeds!

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