A letter from the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) has been issued to all schools and colleges urging Principals, parents/guardians and pupils to continue to work in partnership to promote the safety of pupils travelling to and from schools/colleges during the winter months, and especially as we approach the Christmas Season.

Parents are being urged to remind their children to wear a seatbelt at all times.

The key message emanating from WELB this year is the need to continue to promote the safe travel of pupils to and from schools and colleges.

WELB Chief Executive, Barry Mulholland, said: “It is imperative that parents/guardians and teachers remind pupils, regardless of their ages, of the need for extra vigilance during the winter months, and especially over the Christmas period. Pupils need to be particularly careful when travelling to and from schools, as limited visibility during dark mornings and evenings, coupled with the excitement surrounding the Christmas Season can result in serious, and sometimes fatal, accidents. The safety and wellbeing of pupils is a key priority for all of us. The WELB remains fully committed to promoting and enhancing safe travel for young people to and from schools.” Research shows that wearing reflective and high visibility school clothing has a major impact on the safety of pupils travelling to and from schools. The highest risk for serious injuries, or fatalities, is when pupils are disembarking buses, therefore it is important that they take up a position at the side of the road and allow the bus to move safely away before attempting to cross the road. Pupils should only cross the road when it is free of traffic and when they have a clear view to their left and right.” All vehicles used to transport WELB pupils are fitted with seatbelts; parents/guardians are urged to remind their child/children to wear them at all times when travelling to and from schools.