A new Road Safety Programme which will involve Transition Year students was launched yesterday. It will involve out-of-school projects as well as in-school visits from gardaí, fire and ambulance services.
The programme is currently being piloted in 50 schools. It has been developed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and the Department of Education.
It is hoped the programme will build on the "Streetwise" programme at junior cycle by utilising real events and discussion of actual consequences. Included is an introduction to road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists, covering issues such as seatbelts and airbags, driver fatigue, drink/drug driving, enforcement, basic first aid at road crashes, emergency services and rehabilitation.
Participants also get to use digital resources, including DVDs, and have access to international websites on road safety issues. Relevant driver theory test learning will be included at the end of each module. However, the programme does not include actual driving lessons.
Transition Year is now a key feature in more than 500 second-level schools and is taken up by more than 27,000 students. A circular will be issued to schools in the coming days inviting applications to participate in the programme.
Launching the programme yesterday Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said the most important factor that contributes to reduction in road deaths and injuries is that road users changed their behaviour.
