UK motorists are being warned of a huge driving shakeup that could ban a common manoeuvre, as politicians seek to improve the safety of children travelling to and from school
Drivers in certain parts of the UK risk being banned from an everyday driving manoeuvre following a major shakeup.
As part of a campaign to make the country’s roads safer, motorists in Northern Ireland may soon be told to stop overtaking school buses while they are stationary at stops. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced the plans earlier this month as part of a broader effort to enhance the safety of children travelling to and from school.
The proposed changes, which could become law in September this year, will not only prohibit overtaking stationary school buses, but will also strengthen existing regulations concerning the use of bus signage and lighting. Minister Kimmins explained that under the new rules, drivers who fail to use the appropriate lights correctly would receive fixed penalty notices.
READ MORE: Caitlin Rose McMullan: First picture of ‘popular’ girl, 11, killed by car while stepping off bus
She highlighted the importance of driver responsibility near schools and school buses, maintaining that stricter enforcement is a necessary step. “Road safety is a priority for me, and recent tragic events have highlighted the need for all of us to be cognisant of the safety of children when they are getting on or off school buses,” the politician added, according to Yorkshire Live.
“Having asked officials within the Department to explore the issue, it is now my intention to introduce legislation which will prohibit the overtaking of school buses. Too many families have had their world shattered by receiving the worst possible news after a loved one has set out on a routine journey.”
Minister Kimmins said she was ‘committed to introducing legislation’ to help prevent more lives being ‘devastated’ by fatal road incidents. “I have met grieving families and heard their heartbreaking stories,” she added.
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In March 2025, ‘outgoing and caring’ 11-year-old Caitlin Rose McMullan tragically died after being hit by a car as she alighted from a school bus near Castledawson, County Derry. Education Minister Paul Givan said he ‘was deeply shocked and saddened’ by the news, adding: “As a parent, when we set our children off to school in the morning, none of us ever expect to receive such devastating news. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this young girl and the wider school community following this tragic incident.”
While the new legislation is being prepared, Minister Kimmins encouraged all road users to take immediate action to improve safety. She explained: “There are actions we can all take that will help us reach our goal — take more care on the roads, slow down and ignore our mobile phones. Have conversations about our shared responsibility as road users with our family and friends to ensure road safety messaging reaches as wide an audience as possible.”
In addition to the upcoming legislation, Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure is implementing other measures to improve road safety, such as introducing 20mph speed zones around schools and advancing the Graduated Driver Licensing scheme. These combined efforts underscore the government’s commitment to protecting children and reducing road tragedies across Northern Ireland.
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