Alarm over speeding outside schools as 52% of parents report witnessing ‘near miss’

Speeding outside primary schools adjacent to national and regional roads is causing alarm among parents and teachers with 52% of parents surveyed at one school saying that they had witnessed a “near miss” involving a child and a speeding vehicle.

At a meeting of Roscommon Municipal District Cllr Ruth Conboy presented findings from a survey carried out at Threen NS, Castlerea in May.

The aim of the survey was to capture feedback from parents on safety during pick up and drop off times.

Figures in the survey from parents revealed that 98% reported speeding; 96% felt themselves or their children were unsafe; 75% felt anxious during pick up or drop off; 62% stated there was poor visibility and 52% had witnessed a near miss incident involving a child.

A petition previously organised by Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice and supported by Cllr Nigel Dineen garnered over 360 signatures calling for speed ramps to be installed in area.

The meeting also heard that both Lisacul NS and Cloverhill NS outside Roscommon Town had also notified councillors of excessive speeding outside their grounds.

At Threen NS Cllr Conboy highlighted that the main issues outside the school were “exceptional speeding, drivers using phones and poor visibility,” and she proposed that a “variety of measures” be implemented to enhance safety for the pupils of the school.

A council spokesperson explained that speed management was addressed through road infrastructure, education and awareness campaigns, along with Garda speed checkpoints.

The spokesperson suggested that the school apply for funding through the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Safe Routes to School Scheme.

Cllr Conboy outlined that there was a significant waiting list for this scheme and that it was not a realistic short term solution. She suggested that the council meet with school management to assess the issue.

Cllr Fitzmaurice stressed that the only effective solution was investment in speed management, highlighting an incident of a driver being detected by gardaí travelling in the vicinity of the school at 109km/hr in a 50km/hr zone.

He suggested that the area apply for funding through the Department of Transport’s Low Cost Safety Scheme’s next round of funding.

Cllr Dineen agreed with the Fianna Fáil councillor, saying excessive speeding was a “behavioural” issue, and he pointed the effectiveness of speed ramps installed at national schools in Loughglynn and Clontuskert.

Both councillors Larry Brennan and Michael Holland supported the implementation of enhanced road safety measures outside the school.

Cllr Marty McDermott also supported Cllr Conboy’s motion, and later in the meeting raised the “alarming” findings from a Cloverhill NS speed survey.

One of the main issues during pick up and drop off is the limited space for bus next to the busy N60.

He asked a council spokesperson about the possibility of moving the bus bay off the main road and near the school’s football pitch.

The spokesperson said the council would view the scene and assess feasibility and suggested that the NTA would be the best option for funding.

*Published under the Local Democracy Scheme