After cross-party and civil society criticism last week of its new Lose Your Licence, Lose Your Independence campaign, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has doubled down with the release of a video which outlines the message that people who dont drive are a burden for others.Around 20-25% of adults in Ireland do not hold a drivers license, a mixture of choice and not being able to drive for medical reasons, while its Government policy to promote sustainable transport and carpooling.The campaign video includes a gag about a young man getting a lift with his friend, a date, and their mother.The video has resulted in the RSA being accused by the public, politicians and campaigns of being tone deaf, out of touch with policy on sustainable transport and promoting car sharing, and being insensitive to those who are unable to drive due to medical reasons.According to the RSAs own website, medical reasons for not being able to drive are wide-ranging, including having epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, any condition affecting your peripheral vision, a total loss of sight in one eye, diabetes treated by insulin and or sulphonylurea tables, and sleeping and other disorders resulting in blacking out or sleeping uncontrollably. The launch of the Lose Your Licence, Lose Your Independence last week at Electric Picnic prompted criticism from politicians on opposite ends of the political spectrum and from campaigners.Ciaran Cannon, a Fine Gael TD for Galway, said: In the eyes of @RSAIreland, youre no longer a fully independent young person if you cant drive a car.He said: Truly disappointing messaging, but at least consistent in being unable to see the world from any other perspective.Paul Murphy, a People Before Profit TD, said: RSA not fit for purpose example 248. An organisation dedicated to road safety should not be promoting the myth that you can only be independent by owning a car.Cllr Oliver Moran, a Green councillor based in Cork City, said: Children arent safe walking alone to their friends house to play because of the risk from motorists, but its motoring thats freedom. The sooner these guys are wound up the better.Along with the video, the RSA tweeted today tweeted: 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. If you get caught drink or drug driving, you will be disqualified.Responding today, Cllr Feljin Jose, a Dublin-based Green councillor, said: There are a million different ways to talk about drink driving without saying people who dont or cant drive are a burden on others. Unbelievable.Better Ennis, a campaign group based in Co Clare, said: At what point does the @RSAIreland actually encourage modal shift to healthier and sustainable modes of transport, the result of which will be less risk of collision, fewer injuries and deaths? Their new ad pushes the opposite.Dave Tobin, deputy chair of the Irish Cycling Campaign, said: The RSA are attempting to shame people towards car ownership to fill their coffers. Its not road safety education nor is it supporting modal shift two key metrics in their own road safety strategy.Referring to plans to break up the RSA, he added: I dont believe theres any salvaging the RSA.I Bike Dublin, a campaign group based in Dublin, said: Weve said it before, and well say it again. Reform cannot come soon enough for @RSAIreland.They added: This sort of car-centric thinking illustrates very clearly the need to radically restructure the organisation and break the links with the motor sales industry.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.If you get caught drink or drug driving, you will be disqualified https://t.co/bqecGYVfkN#RoadSafety #DriveSafely #VisionZero pic.twitter.com/fs9iQZtJIi RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) August 19, 2024.