Pictured at Lissivigeen National School Killarney were from left: Ellin Cagney School Principal, Declan Keogh KCC Road Safety Officer, TJ O’Connor RSA Road Safety Officer, Catherine Duggan School Traffic Wardens and Garda Cathy Murphy with students Yasmin Pushpangadan , Max O’Reilly, Eric Muhere-Bowler and Laure O’Sullivan . Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTDKERRY County Council is reminding the public about the hazards and risks exposed to students on their route to and from school when people are not paying full attention on the road.
With a noticeable increase in vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic can be expected in towns and villages across Kerry as over 25,000 students return to primary and secondary schools after the summer break.
Motorists are being urged to be mindful on their approach to schools and to reduce their speed as they pass school zones.
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Declan Keogh, Kerry’s Road Safety Officer said: “It doesn’t matter what type of road user you are or how you travel on the roads, we all have a part to play in keeping ourselves and others safe on the road.”
“The actions a person takes based on a decision they make while using the road can have serious consequences for them and others if it all goes wrong. Drivers need to be more attentive and aware of their surroundings around schools and to be more patient and allow people extra time and space to cross the road safely.”
Parents and guardians are also included in the reminders and are urged to ensure their child is getting to and from school safely, whether that’s on foot, on a bike or in a vehicle.
Pictured at Lissivigeen National School Killarney were Catherine Duggan School Traffic Warden and students Yasmin Pushpangadan , Max O’Reilly , Eric Muhere-Bowler and Laure O’Sullivan .Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .
Mr. Keogh said; “Being visible to others and choosing a safe place to cross a road is all part of responsible road use. Parents or guardians dropping students off in a vehicle should only let the child out of the vehicle on the footpath or grass verge side of the road, never on the middle of the roadside. At collection times in the afternoon, parents should also collect the students from the school side of the road, rather than waiting the far side of the road and beckoning them across.”
The council also reminds motorists about the law and rules governed by School Traffic Wardens.
There are over 800 School Wardens operating across Ireland, 18 of which are employed by Kerry County Council.
“A school warden is part of the community; they are there to ensure young children get across the road safely. Thankfully, most drivers are kind and respectful but there are some who are not. For any driver to put a school warden and vulnerable children at risk like this is wholly unacceptable and highly dangerous. Drivers are urged to be more courteous and considerate towards them and to stop and wait when instructed to do so by the School Warden,” Mr. Keogh said.
A school warden is employed by the council, and they operate under Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, which empowers them by law, to stop and hold traffic to allow children to cross the road safely.
Drivers who fail to stop for a school warden when instructed to do so are committing an offence for which they can be prosecuted and receive 2 penalty points and a fine.
