With fewer hours of daylight and deteriorating weather conditions during the winter months, ‘National Be Safe, Be Seen Day' aims to remind all road-users how important it is to be seen by wearing high visibility material when out walking, cycling or motorcycling, and to use dipped headlights when driving, to stay safe on the roads.

To date this year, 151 people have died on Irish roads. Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians accounted for almost 40% of these deaths with 29 pedestrians, 9 cyclists and 20 motorcyclists having died on Irish roads so far this year.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe said: “With fewer hours of daylight, it is even more important for people to be visible when out on the roads. Wearing high visibility material such as a vest or Sam Brown belt is the simplest way to make sure you can be seen by other road-users when you are out walking, cycling or motorcycling. It has now become habit for many people to reach for their hi vis gear before they walk out the door and we would encourage all road-users to follow their example. In particular, parents should encourage their children to wear hi vis gear when walking or cycling to school to help ensure they can be clearly seen by other road-users.”

Ms Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people walking and cycling to school, work or for leisure purposes, and it is encouraging to see so many of these road-users wearing high visibility material when out on the roads. However, to date this year, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists have accounted for 1 in 4 road fatalities, which highlight just how vulnerable these road-users are.”

“Similarly, while there has been a significant reduction in the number of children killed and seriously injured on our roads this year, any tragedy, particularly involving a young person, is one too many. Children are the most vulnerable of our road-users so it is really important that we as parents and educators teach our children how to be safe when using the road. So set a good example for your child by putting your hi vis gear on when you head out for a walk or bike ride, and make sure they are wearing theirs.”

Earlier this year, the RSA partnered with ESB Networks to provide every child starting school with a high visibility vest. Since this campaign began 85,500 high visibility vests have been provided to schoolchildren around the country.

Mr Gerry Mooney, Manager, Safety and Organisational Transformation at ESB Networks, said: “ESB Networks are delighted to partner with the Road Safety Authority to promote the message of high visibility on the roads. To support that message, this year, we have distributed over 85,500 hi vis vests to children starting school, helping to ensure that our youngest and most vulnerable road-users are kept safe when walking or cycling to school. This is even more important as the evenings get darker and the weather gets worse, so we're delighted to support National ‘Be Safe, Be Seen' Day and any campaign that promotes safety on our roads.”

The RSA and ESB Networks are asking people around the country to support 'National Be Safe, Be Seen Day' by tweeting photos of themselves wearing their high visibility vest or jacket on their way to work, college or school to encourage others to follow their example. Photos should be tweeted to the RSA - @RSAIreland - or to ESB Networks - @ESBNetworks.

The Road Safety Authority is also reminding drivers to use their Daytime Running Lights and drive with their dipped headlights, no matter what time of day it is. Using dipped headlights during the day makes it easier to see oncoming vehicles in the distance and can help to prevent daytime head-on and front-corner collisions.

Further information on high visibility, pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist safety, and Daytime Running Lights, please visit www.rsa.ie

ENDS