02-06-2025
New school bus laws planned after schoolgirl's death
The infrastructure minister is planning to bring forward legislation to prohibit drivers overtaking school buses which have stopped to drop off or pick up their passengers.
There have been calls for new laws to improve school bus safety in Northern Ireland after an 11-year-old girl died after being hit by a car when exiting a school bus in Castledawson, County Londonderry, in March.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said "tragic events" have highlighted the safety of children getting on or off school buses.
"I believe strengthening the law around this issue is an important step in further improving safety for children here," she said.
Caitlin-Rose McMullan died after being hit by a car when exiting her school bus in March.
The St Pius X College, Magherafelt, pupil was described by her school as being "a very popular pupil who was always smiling".
Currently in Northern Ireland there is no legal requirement for other vehicles to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off pupils.
In some parts of the United States, it is a motoring offence to overtake a school bus when it has stopped.
Safety measures in these jurisdictions include retractable stop signs on the left-hand side of buses which flashes amber or red when children are exiting.
Kimmins, who announced her intention to bring the legislation forward, said she has asked her department officials to "explore the issue".
"Too many families have had their world shattered by receiving the worst possible news after a loved one has set out on a routine journey," she said.
"I have met grieving families and heard their heart breaking stories. I am committing to introducing legislation to help prevent more lives being devastated."
She added: "Whilst legislation is being prepared, there are actions we can all take that will help us reach our goal - take more care on the roads, slow down and ignore our mobile phones.
"Have conversations about our shared responsibility as road users with our family and friends to ensure road safety messaging reaches as wide an audience as possible."
The minister also said he department is using other measures to improve road safety including "20mph zones around schools and work on the delivery of the Graduated Driver Licensing scheme".
Schoolgirl's death prompts calls for new school bus laws
