The 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.
The mother of a child who was killed after getting off her school bus has called on the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, to go “full pelt” in order to get new road safety legislation passed before next year’s election.
Stella McGinn, whose daughter Caitlin-Rose McMullan was killed just over a year ago, was speaking to Belfast Live as Minister Kimmins launched a consultation on the issue on Thursday.
Caitlin-Rose had been a pupil at St Pius X College in Magherafelt. She was struck by a vehicle on Hillhead Road in Castledawson after she got off the school bus on her way home on 5 March 2025.
“I thought as a grieving parent, obviously, just buried my daughter and speaking out so early on, a week after she had passed away, that change would be put in place sooner,” she said.
“To go to Stormont last June and to hear that legislation was going to be passed, and yet we’re only in the consultation now. Stormont’s obviously going to stop in July, when they go into recess for the summer and start again in September.”
Stella said that she understands that the Minister wants to get the legislation passed this mandate.
“The country needs to get behind it, and I do think this is something that the Minister does want, but she needs to be full pelt ahead now because if it’s not done, then we’re into a new election next year.
“What I would like to say is, especially to grieving parents like myself, speak out, give your views on this, because the question I would have had every day is what if, what if, what if this was done? This is our chance now. The public needs to get behind it. Grieving parents need to get behind it. I know it’s going to be very difficult for us grieving parents, but this is what we need. We need change for the country, and we need to get it right.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
The consultation opens today and closes on 21 May 2026. More details here.
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