There has been a dramatic fall in the number of children killed on Irish roads since the late 1990s, new figures have shown.

According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), between 1997 and 2009, the number of children under the age of 14 who were killed on Ireland's roads fell by 45%.

During this time period, the highest number of deaths - 34 - occurred in 1998, while the highest number of serious injuries - 132 - occurred in 1997.

The lowest number of deaths - seven - was recorded in 2004, while the lowest number of serious injuries - 40 - was recorded in 2009.

Altogether, 246 children were killed and 1,013 were seriously injured between 1997 and 2009.

Almost four in 10 children who were killed were passengers in a car, while over half were pedestrians or cyclists. Furthermore, the research found that most deaths involving children occurred between 4pm and 6.59pm.

With schools reopening next week, the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, emphasised the importance of road safety at this time of the year.

"One of the most important lessons for young children is how to use the roads safely. As adults, we have a responsibility to show young road users the correct way to behave when walking, cycling or travelling to school by bus or car. So I would ask parents, guardians and teachers to teach young children how to be road safety aware when using the roads," he said.

Meanwhile, as part of its ‘Back to School' campaign, the RSA, along with ESB Electric Ireland, will provide every child starting school with a high viz vest.

"This initiative will help to keep our youngest and most vulnerable road users safe on the roads when walking or cycling to school. There has been a significant reduction in the number of children being killed and injured on our roads, but simply put, one death is one too many," commented RSA chief executive, Noel Brett.