WATCH: Infrastructure Minister pays tribute to Co Derry mum's campaign to improve road safety

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has praised County Derry mum Stella McMullan for her efforts to campaign for children's road safety following the tragic loss of her daughter.

The Minister was speaking in the Assembly yesterday (Tuesday) where she gave an update on the steps she is taking to improve road safety for schoolchildren.

Addressing Minister Kimmins, Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin thanked her for meeting with Castledawson mum Stella last month at the spot where her beloved daughter Caitlin-Rose (pictured below) lost her life in March.

The 11 year-old died after being struck by a car moments after she exited her school bus on the Hillhead Road.

Following the tragedy, Stella has spent months campaigning for changes to safety measures for school transport.

Ms Sheerin asked the Minister if she could outline the steps her department is taking to improve road safety for children particularly.

Paying tribute to Stella, the Minister said her efforts must be commended following the 'absolute horrendous incident and the loss of her beautiful young daughter'.

“She has used that to focus on how she can protect other children in terms of getting to and from school in particular,” she said.

“I have met with Stella twice now and I really, really have so much respect for her and admiration in terms of what she is trying to do.

“As the Member will know, and this Assembly will know, road safety is a high priority for my department and I am committed to working proactively to make roads safer for everyone but I am acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads.

"As some may be aware, recently I announced an extensive package of road safety measures aimed at safeguarding school children, particularly when they are travelling to and from school, including around the issue of overtaking school buses. Officials have provided advice in relation to this and I'm now considering the best options to take forward.

“I also recently met with the Education Minister and we have agreed to collaborate on an initiative aimed at increasing awareness on school bus safety and I am looking forward to seeing how that will progress because again it goes back to education and awareness and I'm thinking about all these factors.

"Whilst we are still in the early stages our shared goal is that we work directly with schools to ensure that pupils, staff and parents are better informed about the risks and responsibilities associated with school transport.

"We are exploring the most effective ways to engage with schools and the broader community whether through targeted campaigns, educational materials or through pilot programmes.

"The bus rear and on-street advertising regarding school bus safety is currently running and was reinstated from the start of September to align with the school term starting and additionally the road safety teaching aid calendars have been electronically issued to over 760 primary schools for the new school year.”