Infrastructure Minister has launched a consultation
seeking views on a proposed approach to improving safety when
passengers, particularly children, are getting on or off buses.
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.
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.”
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.
Minister Kimmins continued: “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 https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/safer-journeys-school-consultation-overtaking-and-passing-buses
