Timely reminder issued as the days get longer

Roscommon County Council has issued a timely reminder to road users following the time change over the past weekend.

Mairead McKeon, Safety Officer with the Council reminds drivers to take extra care on the roads of the county as the time changes and the Easter holiday approach and children begin to play outdoors in the evenings with more out walking and cycling.

According to Mairead: “It’s that time of year when the county’s children traditionally start to come out of hibernation. They’ve spent the wet winter months cooped up indoors and even more so with Covid-19 restrictions, with the arrival of the brighter evenings they will be raring to be off and out, making the most of that extra daylight”.

“With that in mind, all road users need to take extra care, not just on main roads but in built-up residential areas and anywhere where there might be an attraction for children, such as parks or green areas”.

Motorists are advised to:

Be aware of children using roads, both as cyclists and as pedestrians

Watch out for children attempting to cross between parked cars

Watch out for children playing around parks and open spaces and remember that they can become easily distracted.

Parents are asked to:

Parents are asked to remind their child to give the road their full attention

Ensure they choose a safe place to play – not the road

Ensure their child is familiar with the route they will be taking and the safer crossing places available

Make sure they take off headphones and not use their mobile phones when crossing the road

Ensure they wear a cycle helmet and light/bright clothing when cycling.