This week is Irish Road Safety Week and on Friday 11 October, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) launches Child Safety Day, a day focussed on educating our most vulnerable road users on the importance of their safety on the roads, whether they are out walking, cycling or passengers in cars or buses.

To mark Child Safety Day, StreetSmart an exciting initiative set up by the Road Safety Authority, which aims to bring issues of road safety to life for young school children, will visit Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Carlow Town where all children get to learn about the rules of the road. StreetSmart, designed for children of primary school age, involves a streetscape mat which invites children to carry out typical, everyday cycling or pedestrian tasks and activities as directed by the RSA Road Safety Educators.

As part of Child Safety Day, Beep Beep Day will take place in créches and Montessori schools all over the country. The Road Safety Authority distributed 40,000 high visibility vests to pre-school services and providers in advance of Beep Beep Day.  On Beep Beep Day, children aged 5 and under will practise basic road safety skills with the Simon and Friends road safety storybooks, songs, games and activities.

Moyagh Murdock, CEO, RSA said: ‘It is imperative that we do everything we can to protect our children on the roads. Irish Road Safety Week aims to involve and educate everyone, young and old. We encourage parents and teachers to educate their children on the importance of being vigilant and being seen on our roads. Initiatives like Beep Beep Day and StreetSmart help our pre-primary and primary school children to learn safe behaviour when out walking and cycling. Our Seatbelt Sheriff and Hi Glo Silver poster competitions, as well as the Safe Cross Code dance competition, assist our educators in making the learning of the rules of the road and the safety required on the road fun for our youngsters.’

On Child Safety Day, the RSA reminds teachers, parents and children of the importance of wearing high visibility material when out walking or cycling; to make sure they are wearing a safety helmet and have working bike lights and ensure the use of seatbelts or appropriate restraints when travelling by car or bus.

This month, the 16th annual ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ competitions will open for entries, for children in first and second class in primary school. The competition encourages children to get involved in saving lives on the road by teaching them the importance of buckling up and wearing high visibility clothing.

The Nationwide Road Safety Education Service, which is made up of a team of Road Safety Promotion Officers are also available to visit schools and community groups of all ages. This service is free of charge and you can simply email [email protected]  to request a visit.

The RSA’s Free child car seat checking service – Check it Fits will be celebrating child safety day with parents and guardians having their child car seats checked and fitted in Toyota, Long Mile Road, Dublin 12 from 10am-5.30pm.

For information on other dates and locations, please visit https://www.rsa.ie/checkitfits




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