SDCC launches ‘Back to School’ Road Safety campaign

South Dublin County Council is appealing to all parents , guardians, teachers and all road users to make Road Safety a priority, with schools returning for the New Academic Year.

According to the Road Safety Authority, Child Casualties Report 2021 – 2025, revealed that 38 children aged 15 and under were killed on Irish roads and a further 620 seriously injured during this 5 -year period.   One in eight child casualties happened while traveling to or from school. This age group represented 5% of total fatalities and 8% of total serious injuries during this time. 

Irish roads will experience a significant increase in traffic volumes as schools and work routines begin to return. 

Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Francis Timmons said:

‘‘I am delighted to be supporting this very important launch of SDCC’s Back to School Road Safety Campaign and I would like to share with you some of the key points we need to be conscious of to ensure your children’s safety. Please let children out of the car in a safe place beside the footpath.

Do not block the sight line of school wardens, who carry out such an important role in keeping children safe, crossing the road to get to and from school.

Do watch out for children cycling to school.

Do provide your child with some article of Hi visibility clothing or arm band. Be safe be seen. All road users have a duty of care to protect children as they go to and from school, these few simple guidelines will ensure that we can do that. So, this September I ask all parents, guardians and other road users. Watch out for that child, it could be yours."

Road Safety Officer at South Dublin County Council Orlaith Maguiresaid:

‘Children are our most vulnerable road users, and they cannot be responsible for their own safety when using the road. They simply do not have the cognitive skills to allow them to recognise danger, or determine the speed therefore programmes like SDCC’s ‘Back to School’ campaign and the ‘Safe Cross Code’ are vital in teaching children essential road safety skills at a young age.

No child under 12 years should walk or cycle to school without supervision. Child restraints when transporting children by car must be used, as the driver of the car is responsible to ensure that anyone aged 17 years or under is wearing the correct child restraint/ seatbelt, or face 3 penalty points and a cash fine.  Parents must speak to their children about road safety and how to stay safe when walking or cycling to school, how to cross the road at a safe place, and how to get out of the car safely on the safety side by the footpath.  Parents play a hugely important role in educating their children on road safety and should lead by example.  Walk the extra distance to cross at a safe place like a pedestrian or zebra crossing.  The statistics from the recent RSA Child Casualties report states that 2 out of 3  child casualties (65%) were either a pedestrian or a cyclist. There have been 128 fatalities on Irish roads so far this year, which is an increase of 16 on the same day last year.

 

We are highlighting to all drivers that there are a lot more children out and about near the roads. This September please – ‘Slow down and expect the unexpected!’

Inspector Michael Houlihan, Garda National Roads Policing Bureausaid:

"I am appealing to all road users to stop and think about road safety and their driving behaviours and asking all drivers to stop and think about all our children heading back to school this week.  Be that little bit more observant of your surroundings, slow down and obey the rules of the road.  Do not park on double yellow lines, on the footpath or on cycle lanes, not only is it illegal it can also cause a serious and dangerous situation for small children weaving in and out between parked cars and moving vehicles, so set a good example. In 2025 188  people tragically lost their lives on Irish Roads, that was 188 empty seats at the table. So far this year the figures are going in the wrong direction with 128 fatalities on Irish roads, 17 higher than this day last year, so please play your part to stop this increase."