Safety vests issued to 80,000 pupils

Some 80,000 children starting school for the first time this year are to be given a high-visibility vest as part of a road safety campaign.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said the luminous vests would be delivered to primary schools nationwide for all junior infant pupils.

Chief executive Noel Brett also called on parents and teachers to prioritise road safety.

“Children are the most vulnerable of our road users so it is really important that they are ‘streetwise’ about road safety. Parents and guardians should make a real effort to demonstrate good road safety behaviour at all times as your child will learn from your example," Mr Brett said.

"So if your child walks or cycles to school, take them on the route in advance and make sure they know where they are going. If they travel by car or bus, make sure they know how important it is to put their seatbelt on at all times.”

The vests, sponsored by ESB, are part of the RSA’s wider back-to-school campaign, which includes the distribution of safety packs to every primary and secondary school in the country.

In addition to the vests, the primary school packs contain leaflets for parents on getting children to school safety, copies of the Safe Cross Code  song on CD, a newsletter and information for school authorities on best road safety practice for organising or travelling to school events.

The secondary school leaflet also contains a safe cycling booklet.