Parents of primary and secondary school children should take extra care when they drop their kids off at school, it has been suggested.

According to Tullamore Town councillor Sinead Dooley, it is "nothing short of negligent" for parents to let their children cross busy roads without an escort on the school run, the Offaly Express reported.

The newspaper recorded the councillor as saying: "I am pleading with parents to be extra careful at busy times, use the set down area for that purpose and keep your children safe."

Otherwise, Ms Dooley said it is "only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs".

As schools in Ireland prepare to open their doors, the local authority in Tullamore has installed new road markings to make it easier for parents to drop their children off.

Last month, the Road Safety Authority and the ESB announced it will distribute more than 800,000 high-visibility vests to primary school children as part of its Back to School road safety initiative to provide more protection for kids crossing busy roads.

Written by Donal Walsh

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