Drivers, parents and schools urged to prioritise road safety as children return to school

With children preparing to return to school this week, drivers, parents and children are being encouraged to take extra care on the roads.

The call comes as the new Road Safety Authority (RSA) Child Casualties Report 2021–2025 shows that 38 children aged 0–15 were killed and a further 620 were seriously injured on Irish roads between 2021 and 2025.

One in eight of the child casualties were travelling to or from school at the time of the collision.

Children accounted for 5% of all road fatalities and 8% of all serious injuries during this five-year period. Approximately two in three child casualties were pedestrians or cyclists.

The report found that:

• Almost half (48%) of child casualties were pedestrians, while 26% were passengers and 17% were cyclists.
• Seven in ten (72%) child casualties were injured on roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less.
• Almost two-thirds (64%) of children seriously injured were aged between 10 and 15, while 55% of children killed were in this age group.
• Seven in ten child casualties were injured between 12pm and 8pm.
• For pedestrian and cyclist child casualties, the most frequent collision type was a collision with a car.
• Dublin accounted for 32% of child casualties, with Cork accounting for a further 9%. In Dublin, 66% of children killed or seriously injured were pedestrians.
• Male children accounted for 61% of casualties.

Sean Canney TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: “Every child should be able to use the roads safely, whether they are walking, cycling, taking the bus or travelling by car. The return to school is a particularly important time to remind every road user of their responsibility to protect children.

“The RSA’s new report shows that children remain particularly vulnerable on our roads, with pedestrians and cyclists making up around two-thirds of child casualties. Children should be able to walk or cycle without fear of being injured on the road.”

“I am asking drivers to slow down and take extra care around schools, particularly at drop-off and pick-up times. Parents, too, have an important role to play by ensuring their children are properly restrained in cars and that they wear helmets when cycling. A hi-vis vest and bike light helps other road users to see them.”

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. As children return to school, I encourage everyone to play their part in making the journey to and from school as safe as possible.”

The RSA is reminding drivers that the return to school typically brings a significant increase in traffic, as well as more children out walking and cycling.

Michael Rowland, Director of Research, Standards & Assurance at the RSA, said: “The return to school is a busy time on our roads, with more vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road space, particularly around schools and during the afternoon school run. The findings of our Child Casualties Report underline just how vulnerable children can be.”

“I am asking every driver to slow down, put away distractions and give children the time and space they need to get to school safely.”

“We are also asking parents to talk to their children about road safety before they return to school. Whether your child walks, cycles, takes the bus or travels by car, take a few minutes to discuss how they can make safe choices on their journey.”

Parents are being reminded to ensure children are properly restrained when travelling in a car and to use an appropriate child restraint for their age and size. The RSA’s Check It Fits service is available to help parents check that their child’s car seat is fitted correctly.

Parents are also asked not to park on footpaths when dropping children to or collecting them from school. Vehicles parked on footpaths can obstruct pedestrians, forcing children and other vulnerable road users into the road.

Schools also have an important role to play in creating a safer environment for children. The RSA is reminding school principals and staff to make use of its Back-to-School guidelines, which provide practical advice on improving road safety around schools. The guidelines are available at RSA.ie.

Michael Rowland added: “We are also deeply concerned of recent reports of driver impatience and abuse toward school wardens. These wardens perform a vital role in protecting our school children, and any hostility directed at them is entirely unacceptable.

“Every road user needs to remember that stopping for a school warden is a strict legal requirement, not a courtesy. School wardens are by law permitted to stop traffic.  When a school warden raises the stop sign you must stop and remain stopped. Drivers must remain stationary and patient until the warden has lowered their sign and safely returned to the footpath.”

The consequences for failing to obey or stop for a school warden are severe. An immediate fixed charge notice carries a €160 fine and two penalty points.

The RSA advises all drivers to be conscious of their behaviour when approaching school zones.

Slow down so that you can brake smoothly, allow extra time into your commute to eliminate frustration, and never park in a place that blocks the school warden’s view.

Remember a school warden’s priority is keeping children safe – as drivers, your priority must be to let them do their job safely.