Calls for legislation to enhance road safety around school buses following tragic death of Caitlin-Rose

A notice of motion, calling for legislative steps to be taken to enhance road safety around school buses picking up or dropping off pupils, enjoyed unanimous support at last Thursday’s (March 27) monthly meeting of Mid Ulster District Council.

The motion, tabled by Cllr Malachy Quinn (SDLP, Torrent DEA), came just three weeks after young Caitlin-Rose McMullan (11) was struck by a car after exiting her school bus near Castledawson. She sadly died from her injuries.

Caitlin-Rose was a first-year pupil at St. Pius X College in Magherafelt.

The thrust of Cllr Quinn’s motion was around making it compulsory for cars to come to a complete halt when children are boarding school buses, or exiting them, as has long been the rule in North America.

Part of the motion was worded as follows:

“This council resolves to call upon the NI Assembly to develop and pass legislation requiring vehicles to stop for school buses that are picking up or dropping off pupils, in line with best practices observed in other jurisdictions.

“Write to all other local councils in Northern Ireland, urging them to support and pass similar motions.

“Write to the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Education, highlighting the need for such legislation, and requesting that they prioritise this issue within the Executive.

“Undertake any additional measures within Mid-Ulster District’s remit — such as awareness campaigns or pilot schemes — aimed at strengthening school transport safety until statutory changes are in effect.”

Cllr Malachy Quinn (SDLP, Torrent DEA)

Presenting his notice of motion, Cllr Quinn stated:

“Two weeks ago, our community was shaken by the tragic death of young Caitlin-Rose McMullan who was killed after getting off a bus.

“Her family’s heartbreak reminds us exactly of why this issue matters. Today’s motion is about preventing tragedies like this, because no family should ever face that pain.

“Over the years, I’ve witnessed countless near misses on the roads all across Mid Ulster. Cars speeding past buses as children step onto or off the roads, because the driver couldn’t wait a few seconds.

“My own cousin was knocked down after stepping off the bus one morning. He was left with a broken leg and lasting memories of how close he had come to something far worse.

“These dangers are not isolated, they happen every day. Bus drivers regularly tell me of holding their breath as children step onto the roads, just inches away from speeding traffic.

“Teachers, parents and local people all share similar stories. We cannot rely on luck alone to protect our children. It’s clear we must do more than rely on driver patience. We must create clear, enforceable protections.

“Other countries already do this. In Canada and America the law is crystal clear, when the bus stops, traffic stops, no exceptions. In Germany, cars pass stopped buses at walking pace, a rule embedded in driver training.

“Northern Ireland should adopt similar laws, and this motion is our call to Stormont to make that happen. As a council, we can speak with a united voice, urging every council across Northern Ireland to join us.

“We must push our ministers and MLAs to act swiftly. Let’s not wait for another tragedy, let’s act together today.”

Seconding the motion, Cllr Denise Johnston (SDLP, Moyola DEA) stated:

“On the morning of Wednesday, March 5, Caitlin-Rose McMullan left for school, never to return.

“I’ve spoken to her mum Stella on several occasions since. Life for Stella and the rest of her family will never be the same again, there’s a deep dark void that can never be filled.

“Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding her death are not unique. Stella has launched an online petition calling on the authorities to do more to prevent deaths such as this happening.

“In the days that followed [this tragedy], I listened to many concerns from people frustrated by the absence of effective safety measures around school buses.

“There is justifiable outrage and a tangible fear that Caitlin-Rose’s tragic death won’t be the last.

“Each member in this chamber must become a champion for road safety in the light of this most recent tragedy on our roads. We must push our MLA colleagues to deliver meaningful and life-saving legislation by the end of this term.

“Let us remember Caitlin-Rose’s name. In her memory, let us jointly commit ourselves to creating a legacy to ensure that as far as we can, our children travel in safety to and from school.”

Cllr Wilbert Buchanan (DUP, Cookstown DEA) expressed support for the motion on behalf of his party:

“Every person is stunned and saddened when we hear of a tragedy on our roads. What the collision statistics do not represent is the immense pain and suffering for families and friends, whose loved ones left home expecting to come back.

“We support calls to explore any practical measures to improve road safety, and the DUP, therefore, will be supporting the motion.”

Cllr Seán McPeake (Sinn Féin, Carntogher DEA) explained that a range of measures could be considered to enhance road safety around school buses:

“I fully support the ethos of the motion. No later than today, we met representatives of Translink specifically on road safety issues relating to children disembarking off buses.

“Some of the more straightforward changes that could be made [include] investigating more clear and colourful warning lights on the buses.

“The bus lights warning at the back are a bright orange colour, and they probably don’t typify danger the way a red or a blue emergency flashing light does, so we put that to them and it did give them thought for consideration. They’re going to take that back.

“Consideration should be given to more educational awareness for children. In Mid Ulster, we were told that there’s already one bus fitted out for educational purposes. It’s been used by TransLink around the schools, and we would ask for an increase in that, to make sure that all schools would avail of it.

“We’ve asked for a meeting with the DfI Minister, Liz Kimmins, on these important matters, and we’re confident of getting that in the very near future.”

Cllr McPeake subsequently clarified that he would be happy to meet the minister as part of a cross-party delegation.