A total of 141 children under 14 died on the State's roads over an eight-year period, a report by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) revealed today.
The report Child road user Casualties 1998 to 2005shows 5,732 children in that age group suffered serious and minor injuries.
Of these fatalities, 48.9 per cent were pedestrians, while 35 per cent were car passengers.
The RSA said that "on a positive note, there was a 72 per cent reduction in the number of children under 14 years of age killed on our roads annually between 1998 and 2005".
Some 36 per cent of fatalities and 57.5 per cent of injuries occurred in built up areas. A total of 64 per cent of fatalities and 42.5 per cent of injuries occurred in rural areas.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Barry Group today launched three special copybooks carrying the RSA children's road safety message - Drivers, Leave Us Kids Alone.
RSA chief executive Noel Brett said children are particularly vulnerable as this time of year.
He urged parents to make sure their children know the safe cross code, wear high visibility clothing whenever possible and ensure they are belted up or using the correct child car seats on every trip.
"Parents are best placed to teach children about road safety. But remember a child will do as you do, not as you say. So please set a good example yourself."
The safety campaign will target children returning to school next week. The copybooks will be sold through 200 Costcutter and Quik Pick stores.