Summary
The mother of Caitlin-Rose McMullan, an 11-year-old who died in a car accident after getting off a school bus in Northern Ireland, is calling for new laws to improve school bus safety. Currently, there is no law in the UK requiring other vehicles to stop when a school bus stops to let children on or off. The Northern Ireland infrastructure minister is working on potential legislation to address this issue.
Key Facts
- Caitlin-Rose McMullan died in March 2025 after being hit by a car in Castledawson, County Londonderry.
- There is no legal requirement in the UK for vehicles to stop when passing a stopped school bus.
- Caitlin-Rose's mother, Stella McGinn, advocates for changes in school bus safety laws.
- The Northern Ireland infrastructure minister plans to propose legislation regarding school bus safety.
- In the U.S. and Canada, it is illegal to overtake a school bus when it stops.
- Safety measures abroad include bus stop signs that flash when children exit the bus.
- Calls for stronger school bus safety laws in Northern Ireland have been ongoing for over 20 years.
