Local Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed the convening of focus groups by the Road Safety Authority with teachers and students on a new road safety module for Transition Year, as part of measures to help improve road safety culture among young people.

The Road Safety Authority has been working to develop the module to be ready for September.

Senator McGreehan said: “Road safety is not just about laws and regulations; it is also about saving lives and preventing unnecessary injuries.

“I am delighted to see this progress on the development of a road safety module for Transition Year. This is something I have previously called for in the Seanad.

“Here in Louth, as an example of something that can help young people learn about road safety, there is a virtual driving school in Dundalk run by Mr. Paul Brady, which has a mobile simulator that can visit schools around the country. He has travelled all over Ireland bringing the skills in a safe way to young people and showing what speeding can do to people.

“The RSA has now convened of focus groups which will engage directly with students and teachers to begin the work on developing the module and will be working hard to have it ready for September. I am looking forward to it being brought to fruition.

“Road safety is extremely important, particularly as we have seen extremely worrying trends recently related to road deaths and injuries. We really must prioritise, and that is what the Government is doing. The Government is prioritising road safety and making sure it is our collective responsibility to make sure that everyone is safe on the road, there are more footpaths, safer roads and a particular focus on those regional roads with high traffic volumes.”