Mother laments. Safety regulations for buses might have prevented my child's tragic demise, she asserts.
In the wake of an unfortunate tragedy, a bereaved mother is urging Northern Ireland to reconsider its road safety measures. Catching the headlines is the heart-wrenching story of Caitlin-Rose McMullan, an 11-year-old girl who lost her life after being hit by a vehicle in Castledawson, County Londonderry, back in March. Stella McMullan, Caitlin's mother, believes stricter bus safety measures could have potentially saved her daughter's life.
As it stands, the region is gearing up to introduce several safety measures to make roads a safer place for everybody. For instance, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is actively implementing part-time 20mph speed limits around schools to reduce traffic speeds and ensure the safety of children and pedestrians.
Moreover, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has proposed a consultation to enforce stricter rules against using handheld mobile devices while driving, aiming to outlaw activities like snapping pictures, fiddling with playlists, and playing games, currently not fully prohibited.
With regards to school bus safety, concerns have been raised about the safety of children around school buses. In response, the Northern Ireland Assembly is considering legislation requiring vehicles to stop when school buses are picking up or dropping off students. Furthermore, Minister Liz Kimmins has announced plans to make overtaking stationary school buses illegal in a bid to improve child road safety and reduce the risk of accidents involving school buses.
These initiatives are indeed part of a broader commitment to road safety in Northern Ireland, with a focus on both legislative changes and educational programs to combat road fatalities and promote safety for all road users. As we mourn the loss of young Caitlin-Rose McMullan, let's hope that these measures help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
- Stella McMullan, in light of her daughter's car-accident, is advocating for stricter bus safety measures in Northern Ireland.
- The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is implementing part-time 20mph speed limits around schools as part of its policy-and-legislation to enhance road safety.
- Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is proposing a consultation to ban the use of handheld mobile devices while driving, which includes activities like snapping pictures, fiddling with playlists, and playing games.
- The Northern Ireland Assembly is considering enacting legislation to require vehicles to stop when school buses are picking up or dropping off students, aiming to reduce accidents in education-and-self-development.
