The Road Safety Authority saddles up for its 18th Annual Seatbelt Sheriff Awards

Two Hundred and fifty first and second-class school children attended the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) annual Seatbelt Sheriff Awards today in Dublin Castle to celebrate the winners of the competition. 

One of the most lively and energetic road safety events of the year, the RSA hosted children from schools in counties Meath, Laois, Cork, Limerick, Monaghan, Waterford, Louth and Carlow to celebrate their excellent dedication to keeping themselves, their friends and their loved ones safe on our roads. 

Now in its 18th year, the event returned to an in person final for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The award ceremony was attended by Hildegarde Naughton, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sam Waide, Chief Executive, RSA and Sean Fallon, Superintendent Garda National Roads Policing, An Garda Síochána.

First class students from Scoil Bhríde, Cannistown, Co Meath were awarded first prize in the ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ competition for their poster “Click Clack So You Won’t Crack”, while second class students from Annalitten NS, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan came out on top in the ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ category for their “Glow Before You Go!” poster. 

Ms Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: “I am delighted to see so many enthusiastic students taking part in this competition. It is brilliant to see the creativity and imagination on display in all the terrific entries so I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the winners and runners-up for all their efforts. Road safety education helps to save lives and starting this at an early age helps young people to grow up confident in their knowledge of road safety. The lessons learned today will stay with these children throughout their lifetime, keeping themselves, peers, and their loved ones safe on our roads.”

Sam Waide, Chief Executive, RSA said: “Educating children on road safety is vitally important and it is up to all of us to ensure we are leading by example by wearing our seatbelts correctly. The Seatbelt Sheriff Awards provide school children with a fun and creative way to learn important road safety skills. I’d like to commend all the students and teachers here today who do such a great job in promoting road safety. A huge congratulations goes to all the award winners, runners-up and their teachers for all the hard work put into each project, which truly showcases their dedication to the future of road safety.”

Sean Fallon, Superintendent Garda National Roads Policing, An Garda Síochána, said: “On behalf of An Garda Síochána, I am delighted to award the students and teachers who are playing their part in making the roads safer for themselves and other road users. We are committed to making the roads safer for our youngest and most vulnerable road users and teaching them road safety skills is vitally important, so we are proud to support any initiative that assists them in these learnings. We encourage other parents and teachers around the country to build on the work being done in schools and at home by always establishing safe and responsible road use. Congratulations to all the students and teachers here today for the fantastic work in helping to promote road safety.” 

‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ are fun, educational road safety programmes, for children in first and second class in primary school. These special awards are given to children for their exceptional dedication to keeping themselves, their friends and their families safe on our roads.

In the ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ competition, the runners up were: 

• “Clickety Click Does The Trick” - Paddock National School, Paddaock, Mountrath, Co Laois
• “Do The Buckle Up” - Burnfort NS, Burnfort Mallow, Co Cork 
• “Don’t Be A Fool Wear A Seatbelt Be Cool” - Askeaton Jnr NS, Askeaton, Co. Limerick
• “Cpangail do chrois Bí Cliste Clic Clic Bí Glic Clic Clic” - Scoil Aonghusa, Geata An Domhaign, Droichead Átha, Co Lú

In the ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ competition, the runners up were:

• “Get up and Glow” - Garranbane NS, Garranbane Dungarvan, Co.Waterford
• “Make Your Mark In The Dark Be A Sight In The Light” - Askeaton Jnr NS, Askeaton, Co. Limerick
• “It’s Effective To Be Reflective” - Paddock National School, Paddaock, Mountrath, Co Laois
• “Do It Right Be Seen Day And Night” - Borris NS, Borris, Co. Carlow

Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy

Ireland’s fifth government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% over the next 10 years. This means reducing deaths on Ireland’s roads annually from 144 to 72 or lower and reducing serious injuries from 1,259 to 630 or lower by 2030.  

The strategy is the first step in achieving the 2020 Programme for Government commitment of bringing Ireland to ‘Vision Zero’. This is to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by the year 2050.

Notes: 

‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ are fun, educational road safety programmes for children in first and second class in primary school. Children in first class become ‘Seatbelt Sheriffs’ by taking a pledge to wear their seatbelts and making sure that everyone else in the car is buckled up too. Once they become ‘Seatbelt Sheriffs’, they can flash their sheriff’s badge so that everyone they’re travelling with knows that they must wear their seatbelts.

After becoming honorary ‘Seatbelt Sheriffs’ in first class, ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ encourages second class students to wear bright clothing when they are out walking or cycling at night or in the dark. They will pledge to wear jackets, armbands or belts and remind their parents, family and friends to do the same. Just like becoming a ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’, pupils will receive a certificate that gives them the power to instruct everyone when they walk or cycle to wear safety gear.

Further information on the Road Safety Authority’s ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ educational programmes is available at www.seatbeltsheriff.ie.