Dan Boyle
Ceist:216 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the consideration which is being given to developing a module for primary and secondary students to be instructed in cycle care and road safety. [25440/02]
Written Answers. - Road Safety.
I consider that the matter of safety on our roads is a serious one for all of us. My Department requested National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to set up a task force on driver education in 2001. It has been authorised to proceed with the first phase of the proposals of the task force, that is a research phase. This will include, inter alia, carrying out an inventory of the work that is already being done in the area of driver education in various schools. Some of the models studied will include taking the driving test while still in school.
Another recent development in driver education at school level is the issue to all second level schools in September 2001 of a pack called Staying Alive. This is a road safety resource produced under the aegis of the National Safety Council. It was produced primarily for transition year students but can be used at any stage of senior cycle.
In the revised primary curriculum there is a unit on safety and protection. This is part of the social, personal and health education syllabus and refers especially to travelling with care. This syllabus is addressed at all classes of primary school from infants upwards.