Road safety is top of the agenda as children return to school - Kilkenny gardaí

Kilkenny County Council, The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána call on parents, guardians and teachers to ensure road safety is on the back to school list for all school children. An RSA survey shows that some parents are still allowing their children to travel in cars without being securely buckled in.

Every child travelling in a car must use a child car seat or wear a seatbelt. We urge parents to ensure that children are safely and securely restrained, even on the shortest trip.

“The penalty for drivers who permit a child to travel in a vehicle without being properly restrained is 3 penalty points and €60 fixed charge,” said Insp Anthony Farrell of Kilkenny Carlow Divisional Traffic Policing Unit.  That said, An Garda Siochana, will be only issuing fines as a last resort.  It is critically important each person takes care of the most precious citizens using our roads, our children. Especially make sure child car seats are fitted correctly. Please please please keep children safe both inside and outside your car when going on all journeys, especially back to school journeys."

The agencies remind parents to ensure their child is visible when walking or cycling on the roads, or when waiting for the school bus. It is also vitally important that road users cooperate with school warden.