Schoolchildren across the country will be given a lesson on road safety in a bid to save lives and cut serious accidents.
The Safe Cross Codesong has been re-recorded by comic Brendan Grace as part of a package of measures targeting youngsters nationwide.
A pack featuring the CD, safety leaflets, high-visibility armbands and activities has been sent to every primary school by the Road Safety Authority.
The authority has also advised parents whose children walk, cycle or get lifts to school to ensure their youngsters know the rules of the road.
RSA chairman Gay Byrne said the original Safe Cross Codesong was a huge hit back in the 70s and was instrumental in teaching safe road-user habits to a generation of school-goers.
“Over the past two years many teachers have got in touch with us to tell us that they still use the song in class to teach their pupils safe road-user habits,” said Byrne. “So given the fact that the song is as relevant today as it was back then, we felt it was time to bring it back and reintroduce it to a new generation of road-users.”
The song, written by Chris Darby, features Brendan Grace with pupils of Derrywash National School in Castlebar.
Grace said the song is as relevant and important today as it was when originally recorded over 30 years ago.
“I am proud to be involved in this initiative which will undoubtedly contribute to the safety of today’s generation of schoolchildren on the roads,” he added.
Byrne also urged parents to put road safety on their back to school checklist and consider buying high visibility clothing, bicycle helmets and other life saving road safety gear. He also asked that teachers consider including a road safety lesson during their classes.
A total of 65,000 high visibility arm bands will be given out free to everychild starting school for the first time this week.
Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe backed the road safety campaign.
“It is important that children learn at the earliest possible age the knowledge and skills which will help to keep them safe on our busy roads, and that these safety messages are continually reinforced by parents and teachers,” he added.