Over 265 schoolchildren and their teachers from ten primary schools attended the ceremony at Dublin Castle to receive awards for their projects on road safety.

Grace O’Toole, Niamh Sheldon, Charlie Ottman, Clodagh Kennedy, Adam Russell, Colm Carey and Aidan Bryan from second class in Rearcross National School in Newport were chosen as winners of this year’s ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ competition for their poster, ‘In the Night, Show Some Light!’, which showed how important it is to wear high visibility clothing when cycling or walking in the dark.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister for Transport, Mr Noel Dempsey T.D. said: “I am delighted to present these awards to children whose creativity and imagination greatly helps us with our job of educating people on how to behave safely on the roads. And last year, more and more people paid attention to our message and changed their behaviour as a result.”

“All of you here represent the future of road safety and have demonstrated how important it is to learn good road safety practices at a young age. I congratulate all of the students for their excellent projects, and urge teachers and parents to continue encouraging young people to think about road safety,” he concluded.

Mr Noel Brett, CEO of the RSA reminded parents and teachers how important it is to start road safety education at a young age: “It is never too early to start educating young people on how to be safe on the road. Good road safety behaviour is learned by example and it is up to each and every one of us adults to set the right example by wearing our seatbelts, making sure we are wearing high visibility clothing when out cycling or walking in the dark, and driving safely at all times.”

“Everyone sitting here has proven how even small changes can lead to big results. Last year, we had 40 fewer deaths on our roads than the previous year, proving that campaigns such as ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and ‘Hi-Glo Silver’ are having the right effect. You have all played a role in saving lives on the roads and for this I thank you and ask you to continue the good work,” he added.

The competition, which has been running since 2004, encourages primary school children to get involved in saving lives on the road by educating them on the importance of buckling up and wearing high visibility clothing. 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. They will pledge to wear jackets, armbands or belts and remind their parents, family and friends to do the same.