Road safety urged ahead as children go back to school

PARENTS are urged to make road safety a priority with children after it was revealed that almost 450 children have been killed or injured on the county's roads over the past 12 years. While the number of children killed on Irish roads has almost halved since 1997, with a 45.6 per cent reduction in fatalities under 14 years of age, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is still urging people not to be complacent. The agency is teaming up with ESB Electric Ireland to distribute high-vis jackets to 80,000 junior infant pupils throughout the country over the coming months. 'There has been a significant reduction in the number of children being killed and injured on our roads, but simply put, one death is one too many,' said RSA chief executive Noel Brett. 'As part of this year's â€ËœBack to School' campaign, the RSA is delighted to be working with ESB Electric Ireland to provide every child starting school with a high-vis vest. This initiative will help keep our youngest and most vulnerable road users safe on the roads when walking or cycling to school.' The research published by the RSA shows that 1,259 children up to 14 years of age were killed or seriously injured on Irish roads between 1997 and 2009. A further 9,139 received minor injuries as a result of a collision. The research also revealed that over half, 56 per cent, of all child casualties in Ireland between 1997 and 2009 were pedestrians or cyclists. The high-vis jackets are part of a back-to-school pack that will be delivered to schools in November that include a parent's guide to getting children to school safely. It also contains a â€ËœSafe Cross Code' promotional pack with a CD and poster featuring the words of the Safe Cross Code song and dance to be taught in the classroom. 'We would also ask teachers to consider including a road safety lesson from the RSA's road safety resources in their classes,' added Mr Brett. 'Attitudes to road safety are formed at a young age so we would encourage teachers to include road safety in their lesson plans.' 'We're also asking parents and guardians to consider bicycle helmets and other life saving road safety gear on their back to school shopping lists to ensure their children are safe on the roads when travelling to and from school. It's also important to demonstrate good road safety behaviour at all times as your child will learn from your example. 'Teach your child about responsible and safe road use when walking, cycling or travelling to school by bus or car. Children are our most vulnerable road-users so it's really important that they are streetwise about road safety.' Johnny Shine, Deputy Chief Executive, ESB said the semi-state agency was delighted to be involved in road safety promotion among young road users. 'Over the coming weeks, 80,000 high-visibility vests will be distributed nationwide to children starting school to make sure they are clearly visible on the roads at all times,' he said. 'This important initiative is part of our overall commitment to road safety which is reflected in our strategic alliance with the RSA to promote safe driving at all times.' For further road safety information for parents, teachers and students, visit www.rsa.ie