RSA publishes new guidelines on road safety around schools

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has published new guidelines for schools aimed at helping them improve road safety around their area.

The publication comes as pupils return to school for the start of the new academic year.

The new guidelines provide information and tools to help schools develop and implement a road safety action plan that would reduce the risk of any incidents occurring during the commute to and from school.

In collaboration An Garda Síochána, the RSA are also appealing to parents, guardians and teachers to ensure road safety is on the back-to-school checklist.

Drivers are being reminded that there will be a significant increase in school-going traffic in the coming days with an uptick of children walking and cycling to school expected.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD said: “I would encourage schools to read the new guidelines from the RSA and develop safety action plans to improve safety around their schools.

“For example, one of the measures outlined in the guidelines is the Safe Routes to School programme which I launched earlier this year.

“As we invest almost €1 million per day in walking and cycling projects this year, the Safe Routes to School programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes, to alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of children walking, cycling, or scooting to school.

“This is being achieved by providing purpose-built walking and cycling facilities and in certain cases a complete reworking of a school’s entrance.

“Earlier this summer, 170 schools were notified that they are part of the first round of funding for the new Safe Routes to School programme.

“Funding for the rolling programme will be provided from the €1.8 billion for walking and cycling infrastructure committed under the programme for government.”

The RSA’s new guidelines for ‘Improving Road Safety Around Schools’ are available here.