Giddy up for the Road Safety Authority’s 15th Annual Seatbelt Sheriff & Hi-Glo Silver Awards

Two Hundred and thirty first and second class school children attended the Road Safety Authority’s annual Seatbelt Sheriff and Hi-Glo Silver Awards today in Dublin Castle to celebrate the winners of the competition.

One of the most energetic road safety events of the year, the RSA hosted children from schools in Cavan, Clare, Cork, Monaghan, Limerick, Louth and Meath to celebrate their excellent dedication to keeping themselves and their friends and loved ones safe on our roads.

Now in its 15th year, entries to both poster competitions grow year on year.  The awards were presented by Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, RSA and David Sheehan, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Major Event Management, An Garda Síochána.

First class students from Scoil Naomh Padraig, Corracrín, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan were awarded first prize in the ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ competition for their poster "When going to school by car or bus, we must remember to take care of us!", while second class students from Clooney National School, Tulla, Co. Clare came out on top in the ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ category for their ‘Let it glo…’ poster.

For the third consecutive year, winners were also chosen for the Public Choice Award based on a public vote carried out on the RSA Facebook page. The winning schools for this were “Be Wise, Belt Up” by Clonmellon National School, Navan, Co. Meath in the Seatbelt Sheriff public vote and “Go with the Glow!” by Scoil Mhuire na NGael, Dundalk, Co. Louth in the Hi-Glo Silver public vote.

On the competition Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, RSA said: “It is never too early to start educating our young people on how to be safe on the road. Good road behaviour is learned by example and it is up to each and every one of us to ensure we are setting the right example by wearing our seatbelts and making sure we are wearing high visibility clothing when out cycling or walking. Programmes like Seatbelt Sheriff and Hi-Glo Silver help us deliver this important information to our younger road users, who in turn help educate their loved ones on the importance of seatbelts and hi-visibility clothing. Huge congratulations to all the students and teachers here today who do such a great job in promoting road safety.”

In the ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ competition, the runners up were:

• Have you felt for your belt? – Killyconnan National School, Stradone, Co. Cavan
• Seatbelt Seatbelt wrap around, keep me safe and keep me sound - Askeaton Junior National School, Askeaton, Co. Limerick
• Be Wise, Belt Up - Clonmellon National School, Navan, Co. Meath
• Buckle Up. Secure Your Future - Ballinspittle National School, Kinsale, Co. Cork

In the ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ competition, the runners up were:

• Go with the Glow! - Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• Don’t be a silly billy! Be a clever cat! - Castletown Girls National School, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• Cover your chest in a high vis vest - Killyconnan National School, Stradone, Co. Cavan
• Day and Night, light it up - Scoil Éanna, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan

David Sheahan, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Major Event Management, An Garda Síochána said: “I am delighted to be here today on behalf of An Garda Síochána to award the students and teachers who are doing their bit to make the roads safe for children and other road users. The Gardaí are committed to making the roads safer for our youngest and most vulnerable road users and we support any initiative that assists them in learning vital road safety skills. I want to extend my congratulations to all of the students here today and their teachers for all of their amazing work in the promotion of road safety.”

‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ are fun, educational road safety programmes, for children in first and second class in primary school. The competition encourages children to get involved in saving lives on the road by teaching them the importance of buckling up and wearing high visibility clothing.

Notes to Editor:

‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ are fun, educational road safety programmes for children in first and second class in primary school. Children in first class become ‘Seatbelt Sheriffs’ by taking a pledge to wear their seatbelts and making sure that everyone else in the car is buckled up too. Once they become ‘Seatbelt Sheriffs’, they can flash their sheriff’s badge so that everyone they’re travelling with knows that they must wear their seatbelts.

After becoming honorary ‘Seatbelt Sheriffs’ in first class, ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ encourages second class students to wear bright clothing when they are out walking or cycling. They will pledge to wear jackets, armbands or belts and remind their parents, family and friends to do the same. Just like becoming a ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’, pupils will receive a certificate that gives them the power to instruct everyone when they walk or cycle to wear safety gear.

Further information on the Road Safety Authority’s ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ educational programmes is available at www.seatbeltsheriff.ie