National Road Safety Award for Claire Barden
SLIGO native, Claire Barden, has been awarded the Road Safety Authority (RSA) ‘Education – PrePrimary Award’ in road safety for 2023.
The award was presented to Claire by chairperson of the RSA, Liz O’Donnell, at the RSA’s Leading Lights in Road Safety Awards in the RDS.
Claire Barden has been delivering road safety lessons to pre-primary school children since she began working in childcare in 2007.
Her work has reached hundreds of children, teaching them valuable road safety skills that they carry with them throughout their life. Each year, she focuses on a new theme for a campaign.
In 2023, she delivered the ‘Be Safe; Be Seen- Pedestrians’' campaign and rolled this out across three crèches which cater for over 300 children. They learned a variety of road safety skills such as walking on the footpath, using safe places to cross the road such as a zebra crossing, and reminded them to always hold an adult’s hand while walking on or near a road.
A total of 12 categories and one Special Recognition award were presented by the RSA to individuals and organisations to honour their commitment and dedication to road safety. Roscommon natives, Clodagh and Méabh White, were chosen as the overall winners and were awarded the Road Safety Authority (RSA) ‘Gertie Shields Supreme Award’ in road safety.
Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority presented the awards, saying: “Every year, we at the Road Safety Authority are delighted to be given this opportunity to recognise those doing inspiring work and ensuring the road safety message is spread throughout schools, communities, organisations and beyond.
“I want to thank this year’s winners for all they have accomplished to date.
“They are great reminders that small actions can make a big difference on our roads and can save lives – no matter how old or young you are, you can make a difference.”