Schoolgirl's death prompts calls for new school bus laws

Caitlin-Rose McMullan died after being hit by a car

There have been fresh calls for new laws to improve school bus safety in Northern Ireland.

It comes after an 11-year-old girl died after being hit by a car when exiting a school bus in Castledawson, County Londonderry, earlier this month.

Caitlin-Rose McMullan was a pupil at St Pius X College in Magherafelt who was described in a statement by the school as being "a very popular pupil who was always smiling".

Currently in Northern Ireland there is no legal requirement for other vehicles to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off pupils.

In some parts of the United States, it is a motoring offence to overtake a school bus when it has stopped.

Safety measures in these jurisdictions include retractable stop signs on the left-hand side of buses which flashes amber or red when children are exiting.

Caitlin-Rose McMullan's school described her as "a very popular pupil who was always smiling"

On Thursday night, Mid Ulster District Council debated a motion calling for the implementation of similar measures in Northern Ireland.

The motion was put forward by SDLP Mid Ulster councillor Malachy Quinn.

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

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

He added: "Over the years, I've witnessed countless near misses on roads all across Mid Ulster, cars speeding past buses as children step onto or off roads.

"My own cousin was knocked down after stepping off his bus one morning, left with a broken leg and lasting memories of how close he'd come to something far worse. Another near miss, another child nearly lost.

"These dangers are not isolated, they happen every day, on every road, in every part of our community."

SDLP cllr Denise Johnston said there is a "tangible fear that Caitlin-Rose's death won't be the last"

The motion was seconded by SDLP councillor Denise Johnston.

She also spoke about the "tragic loss" of Caitlin-Rose McMullan.

"Life for Caitlin's family will never be the same again, there's a deep dark void that can never be filled," she said.

"Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding her death are not unique - all too often children have had life-changing injuries or have lost their lives after having disembarked form a school bus."

She added: "There is a tangible fear that Caitlin-Rose's death won't be the last.

"No other parent should have to go through what the McMullan family have went through."

Caitlin-Rose McMullan was exiting a school bus on the Hillhead Road

UUP councillor Trevor Wilson voiced his support for the motion and passed on his condolences to the McMullan family.

"My party is fully supportive of this motion and everything that can be done to protect our young people should be looked at," he said.

"There needs to be a full risk assessment carried out of all the official and unofficial bus stops and we should look at other best practice on this issue in other parts of the world."

The motion was passed and the council agreed to write to the minister for infrastructure and the minister of education, highlighting the need for new legislation addressing school bus safety concerns.

'An immense tragedy'

Peter Friel, principal of St Pius X College, said he would welcome new legislation

Peter Friel, principal of St Pius X College, said Caitlin-Rose's death was "an immense tragedy".

He told BBC News NI he would welcome a change in legislation to make school buses safer.

"I hope that those who are dealing with it from a legislative capacity will have ambition and vision and courage to make the changes that are necessary to make the journey to and from school for all children safer going forward," he said.

"It is unfortunate that it takes a tragedy of this magnitude to perhaps get a meeting of minds but I can only hope that, on the back of this, improvements come about."

Mr Friel said the school was continuing "to monitor and keep an eye on students", including those who were on the bus and Caitlin-Rose's brother and friends.

'Improving road safety is a priority'

In a statement, a Department of Education (DoE) spokesperson said: "While responsibility for road safety legislation falls outside of the remit of the Department of Education, the department fully supports a cross-departmental approach on developing any measures which would improve the safety of children on our roads."

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said: "Too many lives are being lost on our roads and our thoughts are with Caitlin-Rose's family and friends at this very difficult time.

"Improving road safety is a priority for the minister and she has asked her officials to consider what measures can be implemented to improve road safety around buses."

A spokesperson for DfI added: "The minister is also exploring wider road safety measures, such as speed limit reductions, including 20mph zones in residential areas and outside schools.

"The minister's predecessor, John O'Dowd, reinstated funding for road safety adverts and published the Road Safety Strategy to 2030.

"Young people are among our most vulnerable road users, which is why the Highway Code emphasises the need to drive slowly and carefully around schools, and when passing a stationary bus carrying schoolchildren."