Northern Ireland Consults on Banning Overtaking of Stationary Buses
The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has initiated a public consultation to explore significant changes to driving rules, specifically targeting the overtaking and passing of buses. This move comes as part of a broader effort to enhance road safety, particularly for children and other vulnerable passengers.
Focus on Safer Journeys to School
Minister for Infrastructure Liz Kimmins has launched the consultation, titled Safer Journeys to School: Consultation on overtaking and passing buses. The primary objective is to examine whether motorists should be prohibited from overtaking stationary buses when passengers are boarding or alighting. This proposal aims to reduce risks at bus stops, where incidents involving children have tragically occurred in recent years.
Minister Kimmins emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating, "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." She further announced plans to introduce a comprehensive package of measures focusing on education, engineering, and enforcement to ensure children's safety during school travel.
Highway Code and Current Regulations
Currently, Rule 163 of the Highway Code advises drivers to overtake only when it is safe and legal, warning against getting too close to the vehicle being overtaken. However, the consultation seeks to establish clearer and more targeted rules regarding driver behavior around buses. The preferred proposal outlined in the consultation focuses on improving safety during boarding and alighting, as well as immediately afterward, when risks are heightened.
Public Input and Next Steps
The consultation remains open until May 21, 2026, inviting public feedback on the proposed changes. Minister Kimmins urged participation, saying, "This is an important consultation. Please give us your views." She also commended the determination of parents who have campaigned for such measures after losing children in related incidents.
This initiative represents a critical step forward in road safety policy, with potential implications for driver habits and the overall safety of public transport users in Northern Ireland.
