Sir, – My three children (6, 8 and 11 years old) were nearly knocked down this morning while crossing with the pedestrian light on the way to school. A car driving at full speed through a red light is a regular occurrence in our area (Harold’s Cross, Dublin), but this particular incident stands out as my hi-vis clad daughters only narrowly missed being knocked down because they listened when I screamed at them to stop scooting, already halfway across the road, when it became obvious to me that the car was not going to stop.
How can parents educate their children in road safety when assessing whether a car is likely to break the lights is a necessary part of crossing the road?
My children already know the consequences of cyclists breaking the lights because one daughter was knocked down while crossing the road a couple of years ago and suffered a broken thumb.
The Irish Times recently reported that Dublin City Council has reassured the residents of Chapelizod that enhanced infrastructure would improve safety for their schoolchildren. Infrastructure is not the only issue. Road user behaviour must change if our roads are to become safe enough for our children. – Yours, etc,
RM Block
AOIFE McGOUGH,
Harold’s Cross,
Dublin.
