22 August 2011
Research Reveals 45 percent Reduction in Child Fatalities from 1997 to 2009
RSA and ESB Electric Ireland to Distribute 80,000 High Viz Vests to Junior Infants.
New research from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has revealed that child fatalities (children up to 14 years of age) decreased by 45.6% in the period 1997 to 2009. This new research was revealed today as the RSA and ESB Electric Ireland announced the distribution of 80,000 high visibility vests to every child starting school this year. The vests will be included in the ‘Back to School’ packs which will be distributed to primary schools nationwide in November.
The RSA’s ‘Child Casualties Report’ (PDF) * also highlighted a significant reduction in child passenger fatalities which decreased by 73% between 1997 and 2009. 61% of child fatalities in this period occurred outside built-up areas where the roads had a posted speed limit higher than 60km/h. 1 in 4 (26%) of all child fatalities occurred in Dublin and Cork. Other notable statistics from the report include:
- 246 children up to 14 years old were killed on Irish roads between 1997 and 2009; an additional 1,013 were seriously injured;
- Overall, child fatalities decreased by 45.6% in the period 1997 to 2009 with a 36% decrease in pedestrian fatalities, 60% decrease in cyclist fatalities and 73% decrease in car passenger fatalities;
- In this period, over one third (37%) of children killed and 44% of those seriously injured were passengers in a car – however, both have reduced significantly since 1997;
- The majority of fatalities occurred between 4:00pm and 6:59pm.
Mr Leo Varadkar T.D., Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said: “Next week, schools will reopen after the summer holidays and will welcome new students. One of the most important lessons for young children is how to use the roads safely. As adults, we have a responsibility to show young road-users the correct way to behave when walking, cycling or travelling to school by bus or car. So I would ask parents, guardians and teachers to teach young children how to be road safety-aware when using the roads.”
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The research also revealed that over half (56%) of all child casualties in Ireland between 1997 and 2009 were pedestrians or cyclists. As schoolchildren enter the final few weeks of their summer holidays, the RSA and ESB Electric Ireland are asking parents, guardians and teachers to make road safety a priority in their back to school preparations.
Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “There has been a significant reduction in the number of children being killed and injured on our roads, but simply put, one death is one too many. As part of this year’s ‘Back to School’ campaign, the RSA is delighted to be working with ESB Electric Ireland again to provide every child starting school with a high viz vest. This initiative will help to keep our youngest and most vulnerable road-users safe on the roads when walking or cycling to school.”
Mr Johnny Shine, Deputy Chief Executive, ESB said: “We are delighted to partner with the RSA once again to promote road safety among our youngest road-users. Over the coming weeks, 80,000 high visibility vests will be distributed nationwide to children starting school to make sure they are clearly visible on the roads at all times. This important initiative is part of our overall commitment to road safety which is reflected in our strategic alliance with the RSA to promote safe driving at all times.”
The ‘Back to School’ Pack for Primary Schools, which will be delivered in November, contains:
- High visibility vests – In partnership with ESB Electric Ireland, a total of 80,000 high visibility vests will be given out free to every child starting school this year;
- ‘Going to School’ leaflets for junior infants entering education. This is a parent’s guide to getting children to school safely;
- ‘Safe Cross Code’ promotional pack including CD together with a poster with the words of the ‘Safe Cross Code’ song and dance to be taught in the classroom;
- ‘School News’ newsletter.
Mr Brett also asked parents to include road safety gear in their ‘Back to School’ checklist: “We’re also asking parents and guardians to consider bicycle helmets and other life saving road safety gear on their ‘back to school’ shopping lists to ensure their children are safe on the roads when travelling to and from school. It’s also important to demonstrate good road safety behaviour at all times as your child will learn from your example. Teach your child about responsible and safe road use when walking, cycling or travelling to school by bus or car. Children are our most vulnerable road-users so it’s really important that they are ‘streetwise’ about road safety.”
Mr Brett also had a message for teachers: “We would also ask teachers to consider including a road safety lesson from the RSA’s road safety resources in their classes. There’s the ‘Safe Cross Code’, ‘Street Smart’, ‘Be Safe’, ‘Let’s Go’, ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi Glo Silver’ for primary level all of which teach our younger road-users how to use the roads safely. At secondary level we have a Junior Cycle resource entitled ‘Streetwise’ as well as ‘Your Road to Safety’ for Transition Year. Attitudes to road safety are formed at a young age so we would encourage teachers to include road safety in their lesson plans.”
For further road safety information for parents, teachers and students, visit www.rsa.ie
For media queries, please contact:
RSA Communications Office: 096 25008
Or
ESB Press Office: Kieran O Neill: 01 702 6196
*The RSA’s ‘Child Casualities Report 1997 to 2009’ is available on www.rsa.ie
Table 1: Child Fatalities and Serious Injuries 1997 to 2009
| Year |
Killed |
Seriously Injured |
| 1997 |
27 |
132 |
| 1998 |
34 |
125 |
| 1999 |
23 |
114 |
| 2000 |
22 |
89 |
| 2001 |
26 |
93 |
| 2002 |
18 |
62 |
| 2003 |
16 |
58 |
| 2004 |
7 |
56 |
| 2005 |
9 |
69 |
| 2006 |
16 |
54 |
| 2007 |
16 |
66 |
| 2008 |
20 |
52 |
| 2009 |
12 |
40 |
| Total |
246 |
1,013 |
RSA and ESB Strategic Alliance
A strategic alliance between ESB and the RSA was established in 2009 to achieve road safety excellence in Ireland. ESB and the RSA will achieve this by supporting each other’s programmes and campaigns, and ESB will also showcase safety improvements and pilot road safety initiatives in cooperation with RSA. The joint “Be Safe. Be Seen” campaign is one of the initiatives arising out of the strategic alliance. RSA and ESB ecars, responsible for the rollout of ecar charging infrastructure, are working together on a "Safe Driving of Electric Cars" initiative. ESB Electric Ireland is the sponsor of the 80,000 high visibility vests which will be distributed this Autumn.
RSA ‘Back to School’ Road Safety Advice for parents, guardians and children:
Travelling by Car
- All children should be restrained when travelling in a car;
- Select a restraint that is based on your child’s weight and height and is suitable for the type of car;
- Remember its safer if children travel in the rear of a car;
- Never leave children alone in a car.
Walking to School
- Small children should not cross roads alone. They cannot decide how far away a car is or how fast it is going;
- Walk the route to school with them in advance;
- Children walking on country roads should wear reflective armbands and bright clothing;
- If there is no footpath, walk on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic keeping as close as possible to the side of the road;
- Show your child how to cross the road by example. Choose safe places to cross and take time to explain why i.e. footbridges, zebra or pelican crossings, lollipop lady/man or junior school warden patrol.
Travelling by Bus
- Teach children to take special care getting on or off a bus or mini-bus;
- While waiting for a bus, children should stand well in off the road;
- Before crossing the road they should wait until the bus has moved off and they can see clearly in both directions;
- If seatbelts are fitted, they must be worn.
Cycle Safety
- Make sure they are highly visible by wearing a reflective belt and bright clothes and wear a bicycle safety helmet on all journeys;
- Check that the bicycle’s brakes, lights, reflector and bell are in good working order.