Infrastructure Minister launches consultation on overtaking and passing buses

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched a consultation seeking views from those across Northern Ireland on a proposed approach to improving safety when passengers, particularly children, are getting on or off buses.

The Safer Journeys to School: Consultation on overtaking and passing buses explores whether clearer, more targeted rules on driver behaviour around buses could help reduce risk, particularly at the point when children are getting on and off buses.

Launching the consultation, Minister Kimmins said: “Sadly in recent years, tragic incidents involving children at bus stops have highlighted the risks that can arise when passengers are getting on or off buses. These moments present a period of particular vulnerability, especially where children may need to cross the road and where traffic speed, visibility or road layout increase the potential for harm.”

The consultation sets out a preferred proposal, alongside a range of options for further development, focused on improving safety for children and other vulnerable passengers when they are boarding or alighting from buses, and immediately afterwards, when risk can be heightened.

Minister Kimmins continued: “There are two parts to our approach.  The first sets out a legislative proposal to prohibit overtaking a stationary bus in clearly defined dangerous circumstances, focused on situations where passengers may be exposed to harm.   The second part presents a number of options for further development designed to mitigate the risks associated with vehicles passing buses during boarding and alighting, including from the opposite direction.

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“I will also bring forward a comprehensive package of measures focusing on education, engineering and enforcement to ensure children are safe travelling to and from school.

“Road safety is a high priority for me. I will continue to do all that I can to keep children and everyone safe on our roads.  I am asking drivers to be aware of when children may be getting on and off buses, or crossing the road and ask you to slow down, be prepared to stop, and be especially vigilant when approaching or passing a bus.

“This is an important day and an important step forward to prohibit overtaking buses to protect our children. I want to commend the strength and determination of the parents who have lost children this way who have campaigned for this.

“This is an important consultation.  Please give us your views.”

East Derry MLA Claire Sugden has welcomed the launch of the public consultation.

“For many families across East Londonderry, the school run doesn’t start at the school gate. It starts on rural roads where traffic can move quickly and visibility isn’t always great.”

“Sadly, in recent years, young children have lost their lives. It is a stark reminder of just how important it is that we get this right.”

“I regularly hear from parents who are concerned about cars not slowing down, or trying to pass buses when children are getting on or off. That concern is very real for families.”

“This consultation is an important opportunity to make sure those experiences are heard and reflected in any new measures. We need to get this right for families here.”

“I would really encourage parents, young people and schools to take a few minutes to respond.”

“This is about making sure every child can get to and from school safely, and giving parents a bit more peace of mind.”

The consultation opens today and closes on May 21 2026 – more details here