The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has published its Child Casualties Report 2020–2024, which highlights the risks faced by young road users.
During this five-year period, 39 children aged up to 15 years lost their lives and a further 584 were seriously injured on Irish roads. Children in this age group accounted for five per cent of all road fatalities and eight per cent of all serious injuries.
The report reveals that:
- Of the 623 children killed or seriously injured, almost half were pedestrians, a quarter were passengers, and almost one fifth were cyclists.
- The majority of child casualties (71 per cent) were injured on urban roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less.
- One in seven child casualties were injured while travelling to or from school.
- Nearly one in five (19 per cent) child casualties were injured on a Friday, making it the most dangerous day of the week.
- Older children were particularly at risk: two in three serious injuries and almost seven in ten fatalities involved those aged 10–15 years.
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: “Our latest report is a stark reminder of the devastating impact road traffic collisions can have on young lives and their families. We are asking every parent to talk to their children about safe road behavior, every school to prioritize safety at the school gate, and every driver to slow down, stay alert, and give children the space and protection they deserve.”
