Minister for Education Norma Foley has launched the new Road Safety Matters transition year (TY) programme designed to help students become safer road users, developed in partnership with the Road Safety Authority and supported by An Garda Síochána.
The programme has been developed to further support TY students and teachers, offering a step-by-step guide to prepare, educate and support students on their road safety journey.
Pupils participating in the programme will learn the importance of sharing the road, developing the knowledge, skills, values and qualities to prepare them as road users and as safe drivers, if they decide to drive in the future.
There are 10 modules in the programme including an overview session, learning to drive, components of a car, speed, alcohol, drugs, distractions, safety belts, vulnerable road users and an assessment.
The Road Safety Matters programme can be taught over a 10-week period or longer depending on a school’s transition year timetable. It will be introduced initially in 143 schools nationwide.
Speaking at the launch today at Marian College Dublin, Minister for Education Norma Foley said: “The new Road Safety Authority TY programme is a very important road safety awareness resource for schools. With this new programme, we are taking a big step forward in terms of education for a critical age group of road users. Good quality, evidence-based road safety education at second level is arguably the most efficient and effective way, over time, to equip the entire population with a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities.”
Minister of State at the Department of Transport James Lawless said: “The Road Safety Matters programme has been developed as a resource that is engaging and easy to follow and encourages students to apply the theory of road safety to their everyday lives. Educating young people on the importance of how we use the road, the rules of the road and the important awareness of all road users is something they will carry throughout their lives.”
A road safety toolkit will also be made available. This includes a teacher support booklet, student portfolio – learning log, Webinars and additional road safety material, and will support road safety competencies, in terms of knowledge, and attitudes and behaviours.
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA said: “We are committed to equip the next generation of road users with the right knowledge and awareness when it comes to road safety, including at a time when they may be considering getting a driving licence for the first time. Our programme highlights how everyone has an important role to play, no matter what mode of transport they use, and aims to help students, by providing them with the right skills and values to become safe road users.”
Paula Hilman, Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing and Community Engagement, An Garda Síochána said: “Education is crucial in increasing awareness of road safety among people and young, new drivers in particular. A core element of the national road safety strategy is that we work together to deliver educational initiatives that give a strong road safety message that everyone needs to hear. This refreshed transition year programme is welcomed. It is one strand of educational work for young school leavers.
We will continue to work in partnership to deliver road safety roadshows and deliver the Garda Schools’ Programmes and the Garda Lifesaver Project in reinforcing the importance of staying safe on our roads for young people. Working together to enhance education for young people is essential in ultimately reducing the number of road fatalities on Irish roads. We need people to fully understand not only what the rules of the road are, but also why they’re in place to keep them and other road users safe.”
As part of the launch, the RSA has announced IPB Insurance as the official sponsor of the programme. John Hogan, Chair of IPB Insurance, said: “We are excited to be partnering with the RSA as official sponsors in support of our local authority and ETB Members. The new Road Safety Matters TY Programme is a very welcome initiative that we are proud to sponsor as the insurer of Ireland’s road network. Encouraging our young people to become road safety aware is very important to us and I want to commend the RSA and our Government partners in delivering this innovative programme.”
Details on the new RSA Road Safety Matters TY Programme can be found here. Registration for the programme is available here.
