Kilbehenny National School in Mitchelstown, Co. Limerick have danced their way to the top to take first place in the Road Safety Authority’s Safe Cross Code Dance competition.

In a race to the top of the public poll against four other shortlisted schools, Kilbehenny National School, with just 78 pupils enrolled, emerged victorious, getting more than 45% of the public vote with 12,845 ballots cast for them alone. The school were presented with 30 electronic tablets for the school plus an engraved award to show their success.

The Limerick school’s dance video is set within their classroom and out on schoolgrounds, recreating a ‘busy road’. The video opens with the Safe Cross Code team reminding their fellow students to put on their high visibility jackets, they all perform the Safe Cross Code dance together and help each other cross the road.

Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, RSA said: “A huge congratulations to all the students and teachers from Kilbehenny National School who were involved in the creation of this video. We all remember the Wanderly Wagon version of the Safe Cross Code song with Judge and friends. It is never too early to educate our young people on safe behaviours on the road side as well as in the car. This includes ensuring they are wearing high visibility clothing when out cycling or walking and using the Safe Cross Code when crossing the road. It is important that our children remember and use the Safe Cross Code just as we all did as children. Congratulations again to our winners.”

Now in its 5th year, the dance competition received entries from across the country, many of which reimagined the famous road safety dance. The competition is open to all primary school pupils from 1st to 6th class and encourages them to creatively learn and teach others how to cross the road safely through singing, dancing and acting.

The other finalists in the competition were: