As 57,000 students nationwide receive their Leaving Certificate results today (Wednesday 15 August), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging young people to stay safe on the road if planning to celebrate.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) would like to congratulate all students receiving their Leaving Cert Results today but would also like to take this opportunity to remind them to plan their travel to and from celebrations.

Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the RSA said: “Congratulations to the thousands of students who received their Leaving Cert results today, it is a milestone in your life and marks a new and exciting chapter. However, just because you’re celebrating tonight doesn’t mean you should take any risks. You have your whole life ahead of you so be smart, plan ahead and get home safely tonight.”

“Use public transport where you can and be sure to make arrangements in advance for getting home safely. If you choose to drive, remember if you hold a Learner Permit, you must be accompanied by a driver who has held a full licence for more than two years, and you must display ‘L’ plates, front and rear.”

“If you are planning on getting a lift from a friend, be sure you are satisfied that you can trust their driving. Have they taken drink or drugs? Are you putting your life in the hands of someone who takes unnecessary risk on the road? Make the right choice about how you use the roads tonight, plan your night, and never, ever drive under the influence of drink or drugs.”

“Parents should be very proud of their sons and daughters you also have a role to play in the planned celebrations. I would appeal to you to talk to your young adults and make sure they have plans in place to get home safely and be ready to step in as a plan B in case arrangements fall through.”

To date this year, 15 August 2016, 9 young adults aged between 16 and 20 have died on Irish roads, representing over 10% of the total of 91 fatalities to date this year.

Here are the RSA’s top tips for celebrating safely:

• Use public transport if it’s available and make sure you know the time of the last bus, Dart or Luas so you’re not stranded at the end of the night.
• Let your parents know when to expect you home. Yes, you may be an adult now but trust us, when you’re a parent, you’ll want your kids to do the exact same thing.
• If you or one of your friends is planning to drive, make sure the person driving stays alcohol and drug free. Alcohol and drugs impair your driving and there are no exceptions, so it doesn’t matter if you’re tall, fit, have a fast metabolism or had a big dinner, it’s a risk you shouldn’t take.
• Remember, if you have a Learner Permit, another adult with a full licence for more than two years has to travel with you. It’s the law.
• Don’t travel in an over-crowded car – it’s dangerous and it distracts the driver, putting your safety at risk. As a rule of thumb, if there aren’t enough seatbelts for everyone, there are too many people in the car.
• On the subject of seatbelts, put yours on. We shouldn’t have to explain why, except to say that not wearing one is pretty stupid and selfish.
• Drive at a speed that is within the speed limit and appropriate to your skill and experience. Too many young adults die on our roads every year, don’t let it be you or your friends.

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