Social Democrats call for compulsory road safety programme in secondary schools

The party wants the Government to allocate €5.5m annually to the RSA for a new universal eight-to-10-week programme

The Road Safety Authority currently offers a Road Safety Matters programme aimed at transition year students to help them to develop the awareness, knowledge, values and skills to become safe road users. File picture: iStock

Calls have been made to roll out a compulsory road safety and driver theory test programme in all secondary schools to educate the next generation of drivers about what is expected of them when they get behind the wheel.

The Social Democrats have said road safety needs more than just a policing response and there must be an equal focus on better education and prevention if we are to end the carnage

It comes as a number of high-profile collisions have highlighted a worrying trend among some teenagers who are now driving the wrong way down motorways. 

Clips of of dangerous driving behaviour have been uploaded to TikTok and other social media platforms.

In calling for the introduction of a universal road safety and driver theory test programme in secondary schools and youth services, Social Democrats transport spokesperson Aidan Farrelly said: “The entire country has been shocked by recent tragic events on our roads, including the devastating incident on the M9 motorway in Kildare.

“While gardaí must be given the tools and training to tackle criminal and reckless behaviour on our roads, this is a problem that needs more than just a policing response. 

"There must be an equal focus on better education and prevention if we are to end the carnage," he said.

“It is incumbent on the Government and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to proactively educate the next generation of drivers about what is expected of them when they get behind the wheel of a car."

The RSA currently offers a Road Safety Matters programme aimed at transition year students to help them to develop the awareness, knowledge, values and skills to become safe road users.

However, the Social Democrats want the Government to allocate €5.5 million annually to the RSA for a new universal eight-to-10-week programme to be delivered across all secondary schools, which would include hiring 50 full-time development officers.

“The annual cost of the programme includes €2.5 million for additional RSA staff, plus €2.93 million to cover a free Driver Theory Test for up to 65,000 teenagers," said Mr Farrelly.

"However, this is just a fraction of the more than €700 million awarded for injuries sustained in road traffic accidents between 2019 and 2024, not to mention the human cost to victims and their families.

“On its own, my proposal will not end tragedies on our roads. But it would ensure that all young people in Ireland have an opportunity to learn about the risks associated with driving," the Social Democrats TD added.

• Elaine Loughlin, political editor