Road safety is child’s play
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) brought its new StreetSmart concept to St Joseph’s Girls National School in Clonakilty, much to the delight of its 250 pupils.
The RSA streetscape play area featured houses, roads, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
Children got the chance to play car drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians and learn about the rules of the road and how to stay safe.
“Good habits learnt young last a lifetime. This is a fun way for younger children to learn,” said Brian Farrell of the RSA.
The children were issued with L-plates as they started the course and on completion received a mock driving licence and a bag of goodies which contained a number of items including reflectors, arm bands and a DVD for their parents on child safety in cars and how to properly fit child seats.
“One of our main strategies is to get out into communities and we decided we needed something for younger children,” Mr Farrell said.
The RSA also brought its ‘Shuttle’ lorry which contains interactive games and driving simulators, a particular favourite among older children.
The RSA picked the school for its StreetSmart launch after being contacted by deputy principal Mary Daly, who is the green schools’ coordinator.
“We have already won three An Taisce green flags and we’re now looking at travel and transport. For the last two terms we have been putting a lot of emphasis on road safety and transport and the kids are absolutely loving it,” she said.
Next Friday the school is starting a ‘walking bus’ programme where instead of getting a car ride to school groups of children will walk there together, under the guidance of parent volunteers.
“We’re starting it from the garda station at 8.45am and there will be a big reception when they arrive at the school. This will happen every Friday and each time we will expand the walking bus routes to different parts of the town,” Ms Daly said.
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