The case for safer routes to school

Everyday brings joy, challenges and numerous reasons for me to soldier on.
But more often than not, I dread Thursday rush hours during school days, particularly mornings when I have to drive my two girls to their school in Tallaght. As I sat in the car this morning, watching traffic crawl ahead of me, I recalled the
dramatic fall-off in traffic during the school holidays. No doubt that thousands of children are driven to school by their parents, because it’s not safe for them to walk or cycle to school. if we managed to get our children onto buses or walking or cycling, we could see this become a permanent drop. Less traffic means it’s also safer to walk or cycle, so it’s a beneficial circle. This underlines the need for better alternatives to help children get to school in the safest and healthiest way possible while at the same time cutting down on carbon emissions.

There have been some improvements in zebra crossings and pedestrian crossings in Tallaght but a focussed co-ordinated approach is now needed.
I aim to change that and if elected as Tallaght South’s representative I will ensure that our footpaths, pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes are upgraded and made safe, so that parents are happy to let their children walk or cycle to school every day.
Research shows that children who walk or cycle to school are healthier, more alert and more likely to achieve academically. Under the National Cycle Policy Framework the Government plans to have 160,000 cycling to work every day. 140,000 children will be targeted nationwide in 2009 for safe cycling training under the same scheme.

I will:

a) Establish a Safe Routes to School Strategy for Tallaght South
This will involve local residents, teachers, Council planners, elected representatives, traffic wardens and importantly school children and their parents.
b) Carry out a safety audit to identify areas where safety improvements can be made.
c) Campaign to have a 30km per hour zone along certain school routes.
d) Introduce traffic calming measures around our schools.
e) Improve cycle routes to every school.
f) Establish pedestrian islands to provide a safe place for school children to wait when crossing some roads.
g) Ensure zebra crossings are in place on busier road.


By making the roads, footpaths and pedestrian crossings safer for our children to use, we can increase the number of children walking and cycling to school every day. There are many benefits to get

[ Community ].