Parents Urged To Make Road Safety A Priority For Children

Parents and teachers are being urged to make road safety a priority for children by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and ESB Networks.

Three children aged 14 and under have died in the first eight months of this year on Irish roads while in 2014, 13 children lost their lives.

Of the children who died on our roads this year, two were pedestrians, and one was a car passenger. Between 2010 -2014, there have been 36 fatalities of children aged 14 years and under.

RSA and ESB Networks have teamed up to distribute 85,500 high visibility vests free to every child starting school this year. Schools can now register online for the RSA's 'Back to School' road safety packs which will be sent to primary schools nationwide over the coming months.

As part of their ongoing Safety program, ESB Networks will engage children in road and electrical safety through creating lesson plans and interactive games and competitions to be included on the Curriculum for Junior Schools.

Ms Moyagh Murdock, CEO of the Road Safety Authority commented: "While there has been a significant reduction in the number of children killed and seriously injured on our roads this year, any tragedy, particularly involving a young person, is one too many. We are delighted to work with ESB Networks this year to ensure every child who is starting school has a high visibility vest to keep them safe and seen on their way to and from school."

(CD/LM)