New school bus laws planned after Castledawson girl's death

Legislation prohibiting the overtaking of school buses while they are stopped to drop off or pick up passengers is to be introduced, it has been confirmed.

The new laws follow the tragic death of 11-year-old Castledawson girl Caitlin-Rose McMullan.

The first-year pupil at St Pius X College in Magherafelt died from her injuries after being struck by a car after she got off her school bus.

Caitlin-Rose was described by her school as being "a very popular pupil who was always smiling".

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said she was bringing in the measures to “improve safety for children here”.

Minister Kimmins said: “Road safety is a priority for me, and recent tragic events have highlighted the need for all of us to be cognisant of the safety of children when they are getting on or off school buses.

“Having asked officials within the Department to explore the issue, it is now my intention to introduce legislation which will prohibit the overtaking of school buses.

“It is incumbent on drivers to take extra care around buses, and this was highlighted by my Department’s most recent advertising campaign.

“However, I believe strengthening the law around this issue is an important step in further improving safety for children here.

“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.

“I have met grieving families and heard their heartbreaking stories. I am committing to introducing legislation to help prevent more lives being devastated.

“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 added: “The 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."

Minister Kimmins has also confirmed measures will be put in place to reinforce existing policy around the proper use of signs and lights on buses carrying children to and from school.

ABOVE WATCH: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins speaking about her plans to introduce the new school bus laws

Under these new measures, fixed penalty notices will be issued to drivers who fail to operate these lights as required. It is intended that these new fixed penalties will be available for use by the beginning of the new school term in September.

This news is welcome to Caitlin Rose’s grieving mother Stella McMullan who campaigned hard for improved safety around school buses, similar to that successfully implemented in other countries.

Three local authorities across the North have already backed a motion originally tabled by the SDLP at Mid Ulster District Council.

The motion called for enhanced safety measures, and now the possibility of a change to road traffic legislation is to be discussed at Stormont.

SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said: “Every day across Mid Ulster and across the north, cars speed past school buses, gambling with children’s lives.

“The tragic death of Caitlin-Rose McMullan in March has seen a young life cut far too short, devastating her family and our community, and we as legislators need to do everything we can to prevent this from happening again.

“Our motion calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to introduce common-sense legislation that ensures vehicles stop when school buses are picking up or setting down pupils. In the US, Canada, and Germany, strong laws already exist to protect children in these vulnerable moments. There is no reason that we can’t do the same here.

“Caitlin-Rose’s memory must drive us to do what we should have done long ago - stop the cars, save lives, and give parents peace of mind that their children can travel to and from school safely.”

Cllr Denise Johnston added: “Too many of our children have been injured or killed after getting off a bus, and we as a society are not doing enough to prevent it from happening.

“As a parent, I cannot imagine the pain Stella McMullan lives with every day. But I have been inspired by her courage in campaigning for change, and we must do everything in our power to protect our children through implementing legislation that can achieve this.”

ABOVE WATCH: Councillor Denise Johnston reacting on the decision of Stormont to introduce new school bus laws

Cllr Malachy Quinn said: “The only way to affect change is to force vehicles to stop and allow children to disembark from buses safely, creating a safe zone around every child stepping off a school bus and sending a clear message that reckless driving near our children stops now.

“We hope that all parties will be able to get behind this motion to ensure that no more children are killed or injured in something we have the power to prevent.”