SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR SCHOOL BUSES

Early day motion 2179, tabled 7 October 2008 by Robert Smith (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 25 members.

That this House notes with great sadness the recent deaths in Aberdeenshire of two secondary school pupils, who were killed in separate incidents while alighting from their school bus; expresses its sympathy with the friends and families of the victims; is concerned that no statutory safety regulations exist to prevent other vehicles from overtaking stationary school buses; notes that other countries have such legislation, including the US and Canada; recognises the increasing sense of concern shown by parents and teachers for the safety of pupils travelling by school transport; supports clearer demarcation of school buses; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to review the situation and consider introducing legislation to make it illegal to overtake a stationary school bus which is picking up or dropping off pupils.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 13, Labour 5, Conservative 2, DUP 2, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.