Over 250 Transition Year Students attend Road Safety Event
More than 250 Transition Year students from three schools in County Wicklow attended a Road Safety event on Monday 14th October. This event, organised by County Wicklow Road Safety Working Together Committee, is part of an ongoing education awareness campaign.
The event took place in Scoil Chonglais Baltinglass and was attended by Transition Year students from St. Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin and Blessington Community College. The intention of the event was to target young drivers and those about to start their driving career, to encourage them to take responsibility for their own driving behaviour.
On the day Baltinglass Retained Fire Fighters carried out a number of demonstrations for the students using four different scenarios, showing how casualties are cut from vehicles following a road traffic accident. Also in attendance were members from An Garda Síochána, who gave first-hand accounts to the students on the legal proceedings and consequences that follow in the aftermath of a crash, when drink or drug driving is involved.
Students saw and heard about what happens when inexperienced and overconfident drivers get behind the wheel of a car without the necessary safety skills required.
The Road Safety Authority Shuttle was also present on the day which allowed the students to:
- Practice driving and hazard perception skills in a car, motorbike or bicycle simulators.
- Experience first-hand the dangers of driving and texting and driver fatigue.
- Try the brake reaction timer to see how driving environments and speed affect your braking distances.
- Learn about tyre safety.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Paul O’Brien said: "This roadshow tackles the harsh realities of what can happen on our roads. By seeing these scenarios, students will hopefully realise they're not invincible. It will instil a sense of responsibility in young people, both as passengers and future drivers, for their own safety and the safety of others.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman added, “This event is a vital part of our road safety programme. Raising awareness and educating our young people about the dangers they can face on the roads is how we can make a lasting difference. We want our young people to stop and think before they get into a car; whether it’s the driver’s fitness to drive, how fast they drive, or simply remembering to wear a seatbelt."
Garda Inspector Michelle Byrne stated, “Every death or serious injury on our roads brings grief and greatly affects families and communities. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the stakeholders involved in this Road Safety event. The Road Safety awareness event is an important part of County Wicklow’s Road Safety Working Together Committee ongoing commitment to improving road safety in our county specifically targeting young drivers who are just starting out.”
The Road Safety awareness event comes as more than 139 people have died on Irish roads so far this year. Last year, almost three-quarters of all road deaths occurred on rural roads. Speeding and intoxicated driving are key contributory factors. Statistics show that young males are the group most likely to be involved in a fatal collision.