There has been a growing alarm over the incidence of fatalities and severe injuries involving young individuals in recent years. This disquiet has prompted a decision to provide more road safety classes to students in their transition year. Previous statistics reveal that there were 12 deaths among those under 16, and 48 within the 16-26 age group. In addition, serious injuries exceeded 400.
The development of this safety programme came at the request of the Education Minister, Norma Foley, hoping to transform the road safety culture amongst Irish youth. There exists a road safety module for transition year students, established in 2009. However, according to some teachers, fitting the 34 class lessons into an already full schedule has been a challenge.
To address these issues, a more concise module utilising modern technologies and hands-on experiences for the students is in the works. It is expected to be prepared for the upcoming September term. Norma Foley recoiled in remembering the disgusting aftermath of road accidents witnessed by many school communities.
Assistance from psychologists of the National Educational Psychological Service had been sought to aid students grappling with the trauma of losing classmates in road accidents. She emphasised all were committed to reduce this loss. Her recent encounter with the Road Safety Authority yielded a challenge to set up this renewed Transition Year programme, intended to alter road safety perceptions amongst young people.
Foley stressed that the transition year provides an unparalleled chance to equip students with necessary knowledge and life skills, while fostering a comprehension of risks linked to road usage. Given that over 80 per cent of students are now undertaking transition year, more are expected to derive benefits from such programmes.
Finally, State Minister responsible for road safety, Jack Chambers, noted a troubling increase in fatalities and major injuries from accidents, following several years of consistently declining road deaths.
“This fresh year of transition programme is among a series of significant processes currently in progress in this sector, and will enhance other road safety strategies, inclusive of continuous efforts to revamp the driver testing course. This aligns with a substantial youth interest group meeting, planned for later in the month and facilitated by the RSA”, he remarked.
Sam Wade, the CEO of the Road Safety Authority, recently communicated that consensus has been reached with a seasoned academic to direct teacher focus groups; this as part of the preparations to roll out the new programme by September.
He explained that based on their studies, presenting high grade, research-backed road safety education may be the most efficient method in preparing the entire populace about safe road usage over time.”