ROAD USERS URGED TO ‘BE SAFE, BE SEEN’ AS EVENINGS GET DARKER
RSA and Electric Ireland distribute 85,000 hi vis vests to junior infants

With darker evenings ahead as the clocks go back this weekend, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is reminding road-users to ensure they can be clearly seen when out walking or cycling on the roads. For the fourth year, 85,000 children will learn the important message of high visibility through the Road Safety Authority and Electric Ireland partnership to provide every child starting school with a high visibility vest.

154 people have been killed on Irish roads to date this year, 14 more road deaths when compared to the same period last year. Of these, 21 were pedestrians and five were cyclists. The Road Safety Authority is advising road-users to be safe and be seen when using the roads by wearing high visibility material, carrying a torch and ensuring their bicycle lights are working.

Mr Michael Rowland, Director of Road Safety Research and Driver Education, Road Safety Authority said:

“With evenings getting darker much earlier, and fewer hours of daylight during the day, it’s even more important for vulnerable road-users such as walkers, joggers and cyclists to ensure they can be seen by other road-users when out on the roads. The most effective way to do this is to wear high visibility clothing such as a high viz vest or a Sam Browne belt, carrying a torch when out on the roads and by ensuring you have working lights on your bicycle. Through our partnership with Electric Ireland, every junior infant in Ireland will receive a high visibility vest which will help to ensure our most vulnerable road-users can be safe and be seen when out on the roads. I would also urge other road-users to be extra careful when sharing the roads with children who may be walking or cycling to school, particularly during the winter months.”

Mr Jim Dollard, Executive Director, BSC and ESB Electric Ireland said:

“Once again, we are delighted to partner with the Road Safety Authority for this initiative which helps to teach our youngest and most vulnerable road-users about being safe and visible on our roads. Wearing a high vis vest is a simple way to make sure your child can be seen when out walking or cycling, particularly as the evenings get darker.”

With Halloween approaching, the RSA is also reminding parents of the importance of road safety when trick or treating by using high visibility material as part of their child’s costumes and by encouraging their children to carry a torch at all times. Accompanying adults are also advised to wear a high viz vest.