In a continuing effort to ensure road safety through education, the road safety office in Mayo County Council will initiate “Operation Safe Start” back to school road safety campaign. This road safety effort is designed to educate motorists, parents and children regarding accident prevention and safe pedestrian movement. Drivers are being urged to cut their speeds … with the help of wheelie bins. Stickers have been produced which will be put on wheelie bins at 190 primary Schools  and 200 pre-schools.

Mr Noel Gibbons road safety officer said “Speeding is a major cause of road traffic collisions and in residential areas, vulnerable road users such as children, the elderly, cyclists and motorcyclists are at much greater risk of being seriously hurt. This initiative is another weapon in our armoury as we try to get the message home to motorists that they should kill their speeds’’.

Please Slow Down - Consider Our Kids

He said “It is really important that when schools are supplied with their stickers, they attach them to their wheelie bins. On collection days, if they can put their bins out in their usual location and ensure the sticker is facing oncoming traffic, it will help send out a very visual reminder to drivers that they should be sticking to the speed limit. Schools should take their bin in as normal after emptying.’’

The beginning of the school year is a time when children are at an increased risk of transportation related injuries.

The increased risk is due to the fact that there are many more children on the road each morning and afternoon combined with changed driving patterns and shorter daylight hours.

The road safety Office is asking motorists, parents, and students to practice safe driving and pedestrian habits.

Tips for Motorists:

• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits.

• Always  take care around a school bus that has stopped to load/unload children.

• Be alert and ready to stop. Watch for children, especially where there are no footpaths.

Tips for Parents:

• Help children learn and practice the safety rules for walking, cycling or travelling as a passenger a car, or

school bus.

• Supervise young children as they are walking or biking to school.

• Be a good role model. Always belt up and follow pedestrian safety rules.

Tips for Students:

• REMEMBER to always belt up when travelling in a car.

• Always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place for young people.

• Always wear a helmet and follow safety rules when riding your bike.

• If you ride a school bus, learn and practice the safety rules for waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the

bus, and riding the bus.

• If you walk to school, learn and practice the safety rules for pedestrians. Always cross at crosswalks, look

both ways for on-coming traffic, obey all traffic signs, traffic lights and traffic wardens instructions.