Back-to-school road safety campaign launched in Kildare
Kildare County Council and An Garda Síochána have launched a back-to-school road safety campaign as pupils return to classrooms.
According to a new Road Safety Authority (RSA) report, 28 children, aged between 0-15 years, in Kildare were killed or seriously injured on roads between 2021 and 2025. The report also found that one in eight child casualties nationally were travelling to or from school at the time of the collision.
The council’s message is: ‘Remember: Slow Down, Look Out and Help Keep Our Children Safe This School Year.’ The local authority is urging drivers to slow down near schools, obey speed limits, avoid illegal parking and watch for children walking, cycling or getting off buses.
Parents are being encouraged to discuss road safety with their children, use designated drop-off and pick-up areas, consider walking or cycling to school where possible and ensure children are visible, particularly during darker mornings and evenings.
Children are being reminded to use designated crossing points, follow the Safe Cross Code, stay alert near roads and wear seatbelts on all journeys.
The campaign aims to improve road safety around schools as traffic volumes increase with the start of the new school year.
Cllr Tim Durkan said school safety is a “shared responsibility” and urged all road users to work together to keep children safe on their journeys to and from school.
The council said it will continue to work with schools, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority to promote safety awareness throughout the school year.
