The Road Safety Authority will distribute 40,000 high-visibility vests at the National Ploughing Championships later this month to encourage pedestrians and cyclists to stay safe on the roads.
It is the first time the body has taken its campaign to the championships.
RSA chief executive Noel Brett said: “This is Ireland’s biggest rural event and the RSA is looking forward to meeting members of the public and inviting them to experience our new interactive ‘shuttle’.”
This interactive 'shuttle' is equipped with a driving simulator enclosed in a specially designed pod where people can test their driving skills under a variety of conditions. It also has a motorbike simulator for people to experience riding a bike, and a bicycle simulator to simulate cycling through a variety of landscapes under different conditions.
Reaction timers will allow visitors test how quickly they react to hazards.
There will also be six computers equipped with the driver theory test, questionnaires, interactive games and road safety videos.
Mr Brett said that as the evenings get darker, it was important to “be safe and be seen” on the road.
“Wearing a simple high visibility vest will reduce the risk of being involved in a fatal or serious injury collision.
“The best advice that we can give is to be aware of your vulnerability on the road, take responsibility for your safety and make sure that everyone in your household wears a high visibility vest when walking or cycling, day or night.
“It could be the difference between being seriously injured, killed or living. Quite simply, wearing the vest could save your life.”
The National Ploughing Championships take place from Tuesday, September 22nd to Thursday, September 24th in Athy, Co Kildare.