RSA Marks National Child Safety Day with Nationwide Campaign to Protect Young Road Users

The Road Safety Authority is highlighting child road safety tomorrow as part of a week-long national initiative that has already distributed over 40,000 high-visibility vests to pre-schools across Ireland and brought road safety education to thousands of children and families.

National Child Safety Day takes place tomorrow, Friday, 10 October, as the centrepiece of Irish Road Safety Week, which runs until Sunday, 12 October. Throughout the week, the RSA's Nationwide Road Safety Education Service has been travelling the country, from crèches to college campuses, delivering road safety lessons, activities and resources to children, parents and educators.

The RSA has provided free Beep Beep Day packs to pre-schools nationwide, introducing young children to essential road safety habits through fun activities. The packs teach pre-schoolers to hold hands, stop, look and listen before crossing, and include the Safe Cross Code song, posters and storybooks featuring Simon and Friends.

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said:

"National Child Safety Day is about ensuring every child in Ireland learns how to stay safe on our roads, and that every adult takes responsibility for protecting them. The tragic reality is that too many children are still being killed or seriously injured on Irish roads. Every reflective vest worn, every correctly fitted car seat, and every conversation about road safety can save a young life."

The focus on child safety comes against a concerning backdrop. According to the recently published RSA Child Casualties Report 2020-2024, 39 children aged 0-15 lost their lives and 584 were seriously injured on Irish roads during this five-year period. Almost half (49%) of these young victims were pedestrians, while one in seven were injured whilst travelling to or from school.

Children aged 10-15 years face particular risk, accounting for two-thirds of serious injuries and almost 70% of fatalities among child road users.

The RSA's Check It Fits service, a free nationwide car seat safety initiative, remains active throughout the week. With up to four out of five child car seats found to be incorrectly fitted, the service provides on-site safety checks and demonstrations for parents and guardians. A Check It Fits event will take place at Tony Kealy's in Coolock, Dublin, tomorrow to coincide with National Child Safety Day.

The Seatbelt Sheriff is visiting primary schools in Louth and Monaghan tomorrow, teaching children how to cross the road safely, where it is safest to do so in both urban and rural areas, and how to stay visible and protected whilst cycling. With his signature sheriff hat and friendly, approachable style, he captures the attention of students aged 6 to 13, making serious topics like seatbelt use and passenger safety memorable and meaningful.

StreetSmart has been visiting primary schools in Meath this week, bringing road safety to life through a pretend streetscape mat and props, where children carry out everyday road safety tasks.

The RSA Shuttle, a mobile interactive road safety unit, has been engaging with communities in Galway and Sligo.

At third level, the RSA's College Road Safety Education Programme continues its national tour, visiting the University of Galway and ATU Connemara this week. The programme brings immersive, hands-on road safety experiences to students, tackling issues such as drink and drug driving, fatigue, distraction and seatbelt use.

Mr Waide added:

"From toddlers to teenagers, we're working to instil safe habits early and often. Road safety is not just a message, it's a lifelong skill. National Child Safety Day reminds us that our collective efforts can and do make a difference."