WELB urges commute caution this winter

WELB Chief Executive Barry Mulholland promotes the WELB's annual Stay Safe message to pupils, who are pictured alongside a WELB school bus fitted with high visibility seatbelts, showcasing their school blazers and scarves embellished with reflective strips which makes them highly visible as they travel to and from schools and colleges during the dark winter mornings and evenings.

A letter has been issued to all schools and colleges urging Principals, parents/guardians and pupils to continue to work in partnership, in order to promote the safety of pupils travelling to and from schools/colleges during the winter months.

WELB Chief Executive, Barry Mulholland, said: “It is imperative that parents/guardians and teachers remind pupils, regardless of their ages, of the need for extra vigilance during the winter months.

“Pupils need to be particularly careful when travelling to and from schools, as limited visibility during dark mornings and evenings.

“The safety and wellbeing of pupils is a key priority for all of us.

“The WELB remains fully committed to promoting and enhancing safe travel for young people to and from schools.”

Research shows that wearing reflective and high visibility school clothing has a major impact on the safety of pupils travelling to and from schools.

The highest risk for serious injuries, or fatalities, is when pupils are disembarking buses, therefore it is important that they take up a position at the side of the road and allow the bus to move safely away before attempting to cross the road.

Pupils should only cross the road when it is free of traffic and when they have a clear view to their left and right.

All vehicles used to transport WELB pupils are fitted with seatbelts; parents/guardians are urged to remind their child/children to wear them at all times when travelling to and from schools.