Summer time arrives as the clocks go forward an hour this weekend.
As the country prepares to 'Spring forward' this weekend and with the Easter school holidays also kicking off – road safety professionals in county councils across the country are reminding drivers to take extra care on the roads as children begin to play outside in the evenings and more will be out walking and cycling.
Noel Gibbons, road safety officer with Mayo County Council, said: "It’s that time of year when the county’s children traditionally start to come out of hibernation. They’ve spent the wet winter months cooped up indoors and even more so with Covid-19 restrictions, with the arrival of the lighter evenings they will be raring to be off and out, making the most of that extra daylight.
"With that in mind, all road users need to take extra care, not just on main roads but in built-up residential areas and anywhere where there might be an attraction for children, such as parks or green areas."
Motorists are advised to: (1 ) Be aware of children using roads, both as cyclists and pedestrians; (2 ) Watch out for children attempting to cross between parked cars and (3 ) Watch out for children playing around parks and open spaces and remember that they can become easily distracted.
Parents are asked to: (1 ) Remind their child to give the road their full attention; (2 ) Ensure they choose a safe place to play – not the road; (3 ) Ensure their child is familiar with the route they will be taking and the safer crossing places available; (4 ) Make sure they take off headphones and not use their mobile phones when crossing the road and (5 ) Ensure they wear a cycle helmet and light/bright clothing when cycling.
