Gardai and RSA deliver strong road safety message to students at Limerick school
“EDUCATE the youth and you'll set them free” was the message delivered during a road safety initiative at one Limerick school this Thursday.
Organised by Garda Enda Moroney in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), there was a road safety shuttle bus on the grounds of Coláiste Íde agus Iosef in Abbeyfeale with demonstrations and virtual reality sets on site showing how accidents can happen.
“I suppose we have to start with education first of all. We have to educate both from primary schools and secondary schools to get the message across, it has devastating effects on all families out there.
Social media has become hugely popular in recent years and phone use is one such issue when it comes to road safety and there’s an emphasis on the distractions phones cause while driving.
“People are constantly on social media. You could wait until you come home, have a cup of tea and update your status then maybe. But it's not for driving. Driving is for going from A to B. So the importance of putting your mobile phone down is imperative,” he explained.
A new roadside drug testing system was brought into force in Limerick last Christmas which can quickly detect a number of commonly used illegal substances.
“The drug market unfortunately, where there is supply there is demand. But again, it's an education to go back to the devastating effect that it can have on the whole community.
“We have tests and we can test at the side of the road. And if you're positive in any of the substances, you'll be brought up and processed accordingly. And there's solicitation there now, and you could face that time off the road,” said Garda Moroney.
Principal, Liam Murphy, has welcomed this road safety initiative back to the school in West Limerick, which he feels is hugely beneficial to the students
“We're really delighted that they're here. It gives our transition year students a great chance to learn about road safety in a very practical and interactive way. And I think from our experience in the past, they've really connected with it and I'm sure they will today too. We're very fortunate to have both organizations helping us out here today and we're very appreciative of it.,” he told Limerick Live.
Seventeen is the legal age that a person in Ireland can obtain a learners driving permit. They must sit twelve driving lessons before they can get a full driving licence upon passing a driving test, meaning second level students have started driving.
“We'd have over 20 students driving to school and they're all very responsible, all fully qualified and park here during the day then they'd drive home and I must say they're a great credit to themselves and their families. It’s great to see such responsible road use. And I think initiatives like this help that,” concluded Mr Murphy.
Se our print editions for more photographs from this Thursday's event