Motorists in Dublin have been challenged to take "one small step for a better quality of life" by leaving their cars at home and using other means of transportation in a bid to tackle traffic congestion in the capital.
The Dublin Transport Office (DTO) say that if every motorist left their car behind for just one journey each week there would be 200,000 fewer car trips every day in the Greater Dublin area.
Speaking at the launch of the One Small Step campaign yesterday, John Henry of the Dublin Transport Office said: "People should reconsider their car usage in terms of their personal health, environmental sustainability, tackling traffic congestion and enhancing the overall quality of life they expect in the future."
Research conducted by the transport office shows that 40 per cent of car owners consider no other travel option and 27 per cent of motorists said driving is preferable for short journeys of one mile or less. However, 40 per cent of those surveyed said there is a chance they may reduce their car usage in the future.
One Small Step is a public information campaign that through radio, billboard and bus advertising will ask the public: "Did you need your car today?" A number of public and private sector organisations including RTÉ and the Dublin Airport Authority have offered their support for the initiative.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey launched the campaign and said the Government was "very much committed" to the project and alleviating traffic problems around the country.
The campaign has been met by some scepticism by the Opposition, with Fine Gael transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell describing it as "a worthy but ultimately ineffective initiative". "The traffic problems in the capital are not due to lack of awareness about the causes of congestion but are due to lack of public transport options," Ms Mitchell said.
AA Roadwatch public affairs manager Conor Faughnan offered his support for the "well-meaning initiative", but said Dublin has a 50-year legacy of public transport neglect to overcome.
He said: "In Dublin only about 20 per cent of commuters use public transport, which by international standards is pathetically low. Despite this every mode of public transport is stuffed to the gills. It's simply not the case to say that our traffic problems are caused by a self-indulgent population that refuse to get out of their cars.
"In Dublin suburbs such as Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Lucan and Swords there are people who spend 25 minutes queuing to get out of their housing estate in the morning."
Mr Faughnan also said he was encouraged by the Metro North Project, but that he was disappointed that public transport schemes in Dublin do not come on line more quickly.
