Common driving move to be made illegal in UK from September

Motorists are being warned to stay alert for incoming road rules from September, including a ban on certain behaviours near schools. In a move to enhance child safety, Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced new legislation that will outlaw overtaking school buses while they are stopped to pick up or drop off children.

The upcoming regulations also seek to reinforce the proper use of bus signage and lighting. Minister Kimmins confirmed that failure to comply with bus light usage would result in fixed penalty notices as part of the incoming rules.

Minister Kimmins stated: "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."

With a firm commitment to safeguarding young students, she disclosed: "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."

She mentioned the efforts of her Department's latest advertising campaign to remind drivers of their duty around buses but stressed that implementing tougher legislation is key to enhancing protection for children, as reported by Birmingham Live, reports Yorkshire Live.

"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," she added.

"I have met grieving families and heard their heartbreaking stories. I am committing to introducing legislation to help prevent more lives being devastated.

"While legislation is being prepared, 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.

"The Department is using other measures to improve road safety including 20mph zones around schools and work on the delivery of the Graduated Driver Licensing scheme."