Trim school hosts launch of high-vis jackets campaign

Trim TD and Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey visited St Mary’s Primary School in his home town last Friday for the launch of a nationwide high-visibility jacket initiative for primary schools. Speaking at the event, Mr Dempsey said: “Parents and guardians have a significant role to play in teaching children about road safety and I would urge parents to demonstrate good road safety behaviour at all times as their children will learn from their example. High-visibility jackets can save lives. This initiative is sponsored by the ESB and is part of the RSA’s Back to School campaign,” he said. Tragically, in 2009, 14 children under the age of 15 years sadly lost their lives on Irish roads during daylight either as pedestrians or passengers. Of the 14 children killed last year, seven were aged under five, while six were aged between 10 and 15. The new initiative will see 130,000 high-visibility jackets distributed to all junior infants and Mr Dempsey said the RSA had made an additional 130 high-vis jackets available to St Mary’s Primary School due to the high demand. “The most important thing a pedestrian or cyclist can do is to take care and be seen. This means wearing bright clothes and reflective material, such as a high-visibility jacket, armband or carry a torch. This will make them stand out in traffic. Wintertime is traditionally a high-risk period for walkers and cyclists as poor light and weather conditions make road use more dangerous. “I would appeal to all pupils to ensure they wear their high-vis jackets both in the mornings on your way to school and in the evenings on your way home from school. A person wearing a high-visibility jacket will be clearly seen at a distance of 500 metres by an oncoming car. This gives the car plenty of time to react to your presence on the road,” he went on.