28 March 2025
The SDLP has called for new school bus road safety laws to reduce the risk of children being hurt when boarding or getting off their school bus.
It comes after the death of 11-year-old schoolgirl Caitlin-Rose McMullan who was killed earlier this month in Castledawson.
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn brought a motion to Mid Ulster District Council on Thursday evening proposing the North adopt similar laws to those in place in the United States, which ban drivers from overtaking a school bus once it has stopped.
The motion was seconded by SDLP councillor Denise Johnston and supported by councillors who will now write to the Infrastructure and Education Ministers calling for legislative change.
Councillor Quinn said:
“The need to address safety concerns around children boarding and getting off school buses has been brought sharply into focus by the tragic death of local schoolgirl Caitlin-Rose McMullan, but this is not an issue that has sprung up overnight. Over the years, I've witnessed countless near misses on roads all across Mid Ulster, we have all been sat behind a school bus and watched as a car recklessly flew past and as things stand there is no law preventing them from doing so.
“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. These aren’t complicated measures - they’re common sense, proven ways to protect lives and we must follow suit here. We need to create a safe zone around every child stepping off a school bus, give parents peace of mind and send a clear message that reckless driving near our children has to stop.”
Councillor Johnston said:
“We brought forward this motion after speaking to Caitlin’s mother Stella who wants to see action to make sure that no family ever has to experience the heartbreak they have been dealing with over the past few weeks. Nothing can ever make up for the loss Caitlin’s family have experienced, but their determination to take action to ensure this never happens again is a testament to their strength and bravery.
“There is a deep sense of sadness right across this area following Caitlin’s death, and frustration at the lack of road safety laws around school buses to keep children safe. Executive Ministers must listen to these proposals, to the unified voice of councillors in Mid Ulster and act to bring forward new laws to ensure that when our children go to school in the morning they come home safely in the evenings.”