17 June 2011
Road Safety Advice For Leaving & Junior Cert Students
As thousands of students around the country look forward to the end of their Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate exams, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging students to be road safety aware during their celebrations. The RSA is also asking parents to remind their young adults to use the road safely, whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or other road-user.
Despite an overall reduction in the number of road deaths so far this year, the number of young people killed on Irish roads remains disproportionately high. To date in 2011, 1 in 5 of all road deaths were young people aged between 16 and 20. To ensure everyone gets home safely this weekend, the RSA is urging parents and guardians to speak to their young adults about responsible road use before they head out celebrating.
Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA said: “Today is a proud day for parents and their young adults as they look forward to a future of possibilities. It is not a day for grief and tragedy caused by a road collision. Talk to your young adults about their plans for celebrating this weekend and in particular, find out where they’re going, who they will be travelling with and how they intend getting to and from their destination. This isn’t about being over-protective, it’s about making sure your son or daughter stays safe on the roads tonight.”
With a message for the students who have sat their Leaving or Junior Cert, Mr Brett said: “Congratulations to all the students who have completed their exams. You’ve spent a long time preparing for these exams but the hard work is over and now is your time to celebrate and enjoy the rest of your summer. All we ask is that you do this safely. If you are a young driver remember as inexperienced drivers, you are among the most vulnerable of our road-users.”
“So if you’re heading out, consider using public transport to get to and from your destination safely. If you are a learner driver, don’t forget you must be accompanied by a full licence holder, who has held that licence for more than two years. Remember never to drink or drug drive, use a mobile phone while driving or drive too fast for the conditions and always wear your seatbelt.”
“If getting a lift be careful who you get into a car with – never get into a car with someone who drives recklessly or who has consumed alcohol or taken drugs. Make sensible choices about how you decide to travel and who you travel with, and don’t put your life or the lives of others at risk.”
The RSA has the following advice for parents and their young adults:
- For parents, ask your son or daughter to avoid driving late at night as this is a high risk period for crashes, particularly among young people;
- For any young adults choosing to drive at night, remember that any amount of alcohol or drugs impairs your driving which could lead to a serious collision;
- Don’t carry more people in your car than is safe. Consider limiting it to two or three passengers and ask them to avoid distracting you while you are driving;
- Always obey the speed limits and never drive faster than your experience or the roads allow;
- Don’t get into a car if you don’t trust the driver or feel your safety is being compromised and don’t be afraid to speak out.
- While it is reassuring for young adults to carry a mobile phone, never talk on your phone or text while driving. Research says that you are four times more likely to crash if you use a hand-held mobile phone while driving and 23 times more likely to crash if you text while driving;
- Remember, everyone in the car should wear their seatbelt, both in the front and rear of the car.
For further information:
RSA Communications Office, Ballina: 096 25008