Revisiting the 80s: The Miniature Highways of Clontarf Traffic School

We’re taking a trip down memory lane to revisit the beloved Clontarf Traffic School. This unique spot was a big hit with the kids, teaching them the rules of the road in the most fun and interactive way possible.

Back in the 1980s, the Clontarf Traffic School was the place to be for schoolchildren eager to learn about road safety. The facility was like a mini version of real-life traffic situations, complete with traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and all sorts of road signs. Kids got to be motorists in pedal cars, cyclists, and pedestrians, navigating the streets just like grown-ups but in a safe, controlled environment.

Garda Pat, who started teaching at the school in 1977, became a familiar and friendly face for many. Since the school opened in 1972, road deaths and injuries had dropped each year. "We like to think that we contribute in some way to the saving of lives out on the road," Garda Pat said, reflecting the school’s positive impact on the community (source: RTÉ Archives).

In an episode of ‘Anything Goes,’ broadcast on 7 March 1981, the Clontarf Traffic School was featured, showing kids learning vital road rules. The kids loved it. They found the experience both fun and educational, even if remembering all the road signs and navigating the mock streets was a bit tricky. 

Take a moment to watch the original video from RTÉ Archives and relive the nostalgia of the Clontarf Traffic School in action.