Road safety lessons being considered for Leaving Cert students

The consideration comes following a worrying surge in Irish road deaths in recent months.

Road safety lessons for Leaving Cert students are being considered by Minister for Education Norma Foley in the wake of a number of deaths on Irish roads, the Irish Times has reported. According to the publication, Ms Foley wrote to the Road Safety Authority last week seeking ways to enhance road safety awareness in schools, particularly as part of the senior cycle. While there are modules on road safety as part of the Junior Cert, Ms Foley has stressed that there should be more of an emphasis for Leaving Cert students, who are at an age where they're legally able to learn to drive. Figures revealed in early August by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) showed that road deaths in the first half of 2023 are the worst for six years. Some of the key points of the data provided by the RSA showed that 23 of the deaths (as of August 1) were attributed to young people aged 16-25. Road fatalities have come under significant attention lately due to a number of recent high profile incidents. In a letter to RSA chairman Sam Waide, Ms Foley wrote: “There has been a significant and saddening increase in fatalities on Irish roads in the past year, many of which have tragically involved children and young people. “This worrying trend must be curbed, and I believe awareness raising has a very significant role to play in this regard.” Currently, the RSA has an outreach team that visits schools to promote safer methods of walking, cycling and travelling by car or bus. Header image via Getty  READ NEXT:  - Events promoter in talks to host music festival at Galway Airport - Super commuter gives 8 top hacks on long haul flying out of Ireland - New study indicates real impact of vegan diet on the environment