ESB and RSA High Viz Vest to National School Pupils

Electric Ireland and the Road Safety Authority will provide High Viz Vest to Junior Infants in the new school year. Research from the RSA show a 77.8% reduction in the numbers of children killed on Irish roads in the period 1997 to 2010. The vest are part of the RSA's Back to School Road Safety Pack, which are distributed around the country.

The report shows a significant decline in the numbers of children passengers killed in car accidents during the same period (a decline of 81.8%). 1 in 3 child passengers killed in road accidents were not wear their seatbelt.

Between 1997 and 2010 252 children were killed on Irish roads, 1,059 were seriously injured 43% were car passengers. 60% of child fatalities occurred on roads outside built up areas where the speed limit is over 60km/h. 1 in 3 fatalities happened between 4pm and 7pm.

57% of children killed or seriously injured were pedestrians or cyclists.

The Back To School Road Safety Pack includes: -

- A high visibility vest for every child starting school in partnership with Electric Ireland;
- ‘Going to School’ leaflets for junior infants entering education. This is a parent’s guide to getting children to school safely;
- A ‘Safe Cross Code’ promotional pack including a CD of the song and a poster with the words of the ‘Safe Cross Code’ song and dance to be taught in the classroom;
- The ‘School News’ newsletter.