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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is celebrating the enthusiastic response to its Road Safety Matters programme, a fresh approach to educating Transition Year students on road safety. Initially aiming to reach just 30 schools, the programme has surpassed expectations, training teachers from nearly 140 schools nationwide and reaching over 12,700 students.
The Road Safety Matters programme, launched in partnership with IPB, the Department of Education, and the Department of Transport, introduces road safety in an interactive, teacher-led format. By running in-person training sessions across Ireland – from Swinford to Letterkenny and Cork to Galway – the RSA has enabled teachers from all parts of the country to participate. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, as teachers recognise the importance of preparing young people for life on the road.
With the Hallowe’en break now behind us, students are set to dive into 10 engaging modules that cover everything from the basics of car components to the risks of speeding, alcohol, drugs, and driving distractions. The programme also addresses the importance of seatbelts, the challenges faced by vulnerable road users, and an introduction to driving.
Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs with the RSA, shared her excitement:
“We’re thrilled by the level of interest from schools and teachers across the country. It’s clear that road safety is a priority for so many educators, and we’re excited to build on this momentum. A huge thank you to our team, as well as the teachers and principals who’ve embraced this training – the feedback has been outstanding.”
Mary Madden, Director of Schools with the Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim Education and Training Board (ETB), echoed the sentiment:
“Seeing the impact of the RSA’s programme, I knew it would be invaluable for our schools. It’s given teachers a practical way to talk about road safety with students, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I’m proud to have all our ETB schools involved in this initiative.”
The Road Safety Matters programme is part of the RSA’s ongoing commitment to building a culture of road safety, preparing the next generation of drivers and road users to navigate the roads with knowledge and confidence.