A new warning flashing light system for school buses is being pioneered in Ennis, Co Clare. If the project is successful, it will be extended to the rest of the State on a phased basis.
The warning lights begin to flash whenever a school bus stops or is about to stop to let children on or off .
The system was developed by Bus Éireann at the request of the Minister of State with responsibility for school transport, Ms Síle de Valera.
Twenty-two vehicles have been fitted with the warning system in Ennis. This town was chosen as it has a mix of vehicle types bringing children to national school, post-primary school and to schools for children with special needs.
Both Bus Éireann buses and contractors' vehicles providing school transport have been fitted with the system.
School bus services now cover more than 40 million miles a year, with schoolchildren making more than 43 million journeys.
Ms Ursula Hickey from Bus Éireann's school transport office said accidents involving schoolchildren usually occurred before the child boarded the bus or after they disembarked.
The low rate of accidents involving school transport compared favourably with best international standards, she said. "Bus Éireann is asking motorists to be particularly conscious of safety when in the vicinity of schools and school buses and to drive with due care and attention when approaching or overtaking a school bus."
Ms Hickey said the pilot project would be evaluated and assessment in the coming months to see if it should be expanded to other areas of the country.
"It is hoped that by alerting motorists with a distinctive warning flashing light system, the likelihood of an accident occurring while school pupils are either boarding or alighting from school buses is reduced to an absolute minimum."
