A north-east man has branded the Scottish Government “pathetic” and “unprofessional” for failing to pass legislation on the proper use of school bus safety signs.
Ron Beaty said roads agency Transport Scotland should “stop arguing and making excuses” and take steps to ensure motorists know at all times that the stationary bus they are about to overtake has children on board.
The pensioner, who started campaigning in 2004 when his granddaughter Erin was left wheelchair bound after she was knocked down after getting off a bus, claimed operators had a duty of care to their passengers.
Mr Beaty wants all bus drivers across Scotland to put signs on display when they are carrying children and take them down when the vehicle is not being used for that purpose.
He claims the move would encourage other road users to be more careful when overtaking stationary vehicles and avoid knocking down a child trying to cross the road.
Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, is leading a debate on the issue at the Scottish Parliament today.
Mr Beaty, who has been petitioning MSPs for many years, said: “This debate is necessary because all school pupils deserve the same right to safety regardless of where they live in Scotland.
“Every parent has the right to expect their child to be placed in the hands of school bus drivers and operators who care.
“It is very obvious many don’t and this is exhibited by the number of drivers who leave the safety sign up outside of school work.
“It’s up to the Scottish Government to change this dangerous way of thinking – a school bus should look like a school bus.
“I find their approach pathetic and unprofessional, ministers must just do what’s needed and stop arguing and finding excuses.”
Mr Beaty claimed one bus operator told him he would not change the way he operated until the law was changed.
Mr Stevenson said: “We need more widespread adoption of good signage practice on buses – prominent signs which are removed when not on school transport duty.
“And with that, drivers taking care when they see these signs.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said claims it had done little or nothing to improve school bus safety were “simply wrong”.
She said officials had been working with local authorities to encourage voluntary take-up of improved signage and guidance was in place.
The spokeswoman said: “We recognise that enhanced school bus signage can play a key role, yet the power to legislate in this area rests with Westminster and we are disappointed that the UK Government has refused our requests to take action or to devolve the necessary powers to Scotland.”