Hazzard and Weir – Delivering road safety messages for children every day of the year

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard and Education Minister Peter Weir have launched the latest Road Safety Calendar which is distributed free to all primary and nursery classes across the region.

Ministers Hazzard and Weir launch the latest road saftey calendar

The annual Road Safety Teaching Aid Calendar is now in its 44th year and plays an important role in delivering vital road safety messages. The Ministers’ delivered the calendars personally to the pupils at Forge Integrated Primary School in Belfast.

Minister Chris Hazzard said:

“As a community we strive to give our children the best possible start in life and the annual Road Safety Calendar offers an excellent classroom teaching tool to help influence attitudes and behaviours towards road safety from a very early age. It has helped generations of children stay safe on our roads

“Each page of the calendar has an important road safety message specially developed for children. The potentially lifesaving messages are presented in an engaging and memorable manner and I am confident they will continue to help form responsible road behaviour.”

There are three separate versions of the calendar to best match the different stages of development and understanding of nursery and primary school children.

Education Minister Peter Weir said: 

“Since its introduction The Road Safety Calendar has become a well established resource for primary schools in highlighting the dangers on our roads. Educating children from an early age is essential to help them develop the skills they need to stay safe. It is essential that all pupils develop positive behaviours when travelling to school. I would remind pupils of the importance of staying alert around buses particularly when boarding and alighting from the vehicle, and to ensure that where available, seatbelts are worn at all times.

"I would like to commend all those involved in putting together this valuable tool that helps to protect pupils on our roads.”

With the beginning of the new school term and with shorter daylight hours, drivers are reminded to watch out for children walking or cycling, and to take extra care around school buses especially when children are getting on or off.

Children travelling by car should always be in a child car seat or use a seatbelt as appropriate.  When travelling by bus seatbelts should always be worn when available.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Road Safety Teaching Aid Calendar was first published in 1972.
2. For information on child car seats go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/child-car-seats-restraints-and-seatbelts
3. For a reminder of the Green Cross Code go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rules-pedestrians-1-35
4. To view all 3 calendars go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/dfi-road-safety-calendars-2016-17
5. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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