DONEGAL North East T.D.,
Deputy Niall Blaney has appealed to children and
teenagers to keep their MP3 players and mobiles in
their schoolbags until they are safely across the
road.
He also appealed to parents to 'take time-out' to
talk to their children about road safety as the
back-to-school season approaches.
“Many young people are preoccupied with MP3 players
or mobile phones and may not
give road safety the due concern it deserves. The
need for concentration on
the roads cannot be stressed strongly enough," said
Deputy Blaney.
“I know that this can be a busy time for parents but
time-out talking about road safety before school
recommences is time well spent.”
The local T.D., referred to a Road Safety Authority
report earlier this month showing that half of
children killed on the roads are pedestrians.
"That is a startling statistic and it highlights the
importance of teaching road safety to
children from a young age.
“In rural areas where children are waiting for
school buses, sometimes in the dark in winter
months, parents can make their children more visible
to oncoming motorists by ensuring that they wear
reflective armbands and bright clothing where
possible.
“In towns and villages the dangers of hidden
entrances crossing the footpaths where vehicles may
be exiting or reversing from, should be highlighted
to children who may be walking to schools or to
buses," he said.
Deputy Blaney said the Safe Cross Code, was a
"traditional but very effective" method of teaching
safe road practice to young people.
Deputy Blaney urged parents to stress the importance
of using seat belts on their school buses and of
complying with the rules on the bus.
A new leaflet has been issued by Bus Eireann setting
out the sanctions to be applied for misuse or abuse
of the bus service including fines or the withdrawal
of services. |
