The appeal to share the roads safely with returning students was made at the launch of the RSA\u2019s new online\u00a0Learning Portal, a 3D road safety adventure ahead of the new school year. The online Learning Portal is aimed at educating primary and secondary school students on road safety in a fun, interactive and safe learning environment, accessible in the classroom and at home.\u00a0 The RSA wanted to move with changes so that they could continue to offer a first-class road safety learning experience for all students.\u00a0 The Learning Portal is a new virtual learning hub harnessing innovative technology.<\/p>\n
The new virtual space showcases road safety topics including, the Safe Cross Code, seatbelts, distracted driving, the consequences of drink or drug driving, and speeding. Its a secure online place where RSA educators can lead teachers and their pupils through a heightened learning portal.\u00a0 Casted as avatars the students are fully engaged in the vital road safety messaging they need to learn, while also stopping off to have fun in themed rooms where they can hang and meet up with close friends.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the launch Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton said: \u201cI recently announced the doubling of fines for key road traffic offences which are putting road users most at risk on our roads. As part of this I also intend to double the fine from \u20ac80 to \u20ac160 for drivers who fail to stop at a school warden sign. I anticipate this new measure to be in place in the very near future. School wardens are vulnerable road workers. Their job is to keep children safe. But to do this they put themselves at risk every time they step onto the road. They work on all sorts of roads from national routes to small local roads and at times of the day that sees the heaviest traffic. They deserve our respect and a safe working environment. Slow down when in the vicinity of schools, watch out for children and school wardens. Most importantly always heed their directions to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority said: \u201cWe are very excited about the launch of our new online\u00a0Learning Portal\u00a0which will educate children about road safety in a fun and interactive environment using innovative technology. A priority intervention area in the Government\u2019s Road Safety Strategy is \u2018Safe Road Use\u2019, so our aim with this new online virtual experience is to instil good road safety habits and knowledge at an early age, for life learning. I also want to remind school principals and staff of our guidelines for improving road safety around schools. The guidelines will aid them in the development and implementation of a road safety action plan to identify and manage risk at the school\u2019s entrance. The guidelines are available on RSA.ie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Assistant Commissioner, Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na commented:\u00a0\u201cWith children returning to school over the coming days and weeks, we can expect increased traffic volumes on our roads, especially around schools.\u00a0 I would ask that all parents remind children about road safety and take extra care when dropping or collecting children from schools. I would also ask that all road users be extra\u00a0vigilant when driving near schools and school wardens. We want all our children to return to school safely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drivers are being reminded that there will be a significant increase in school-going traffic in the coming days. They should also expect to see a rise in the number of children using \u2018active modes\u2019 of transport such as cycling, walking or scooting to get to school.<\/p>\n
To date in 2022, a total of\u00a0105\u00a0people have died on Irish roads,\u00a017 more\u00a0than the same period in 2021.<\/p>\n
The RSA\u2019s Learning portal, a 3D road safety adventure promotional video can be viewed here:\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/UUEMA0PTroE<\/a><\/p>\n