This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7971647.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
School bus safety calls tackled School bus safety plan trialled
(about 4 hours later)
Calls for improved safety for school buses, after the death of two pupils in Aberdeenshire, are being considered. New technology to improve the safety of pupils on school buses is to be trialled in the north east of Scotland.
Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson will address Holyrood's Petitions Committee when it meets at Fraserburgh Academy on Monday. Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson made the announcement as he gave evidence to Holyrood's public petitions committee in Fraserburgh.
It is the first time the committee has met in the town. It was debating calls for improved safety for school buses, after the death of two pupils in Aberdeenshire.
The 'SeeMe Bus Stop' system, which warns drivers about school buses, has been hailed a success in Sweden.
Under the system, a bus stop sign flashes to warn drivers when schoolchildren carrying a small transmission device are in the vicinity.
Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council are now evaluating options to test the technology.
We want to identify further action which can be taken to make school bus services safer Stewart StevensonScottish Transport Minister
Pupils Robyn Oldham, 15, and Alexander Milne, 12, died last year after being struck by cars when they stepped off school buses.Pupils Robyn Oldham, 15, and Alexander Milne, 12, died last year after being struck by cars when they stepped off school buses.
Committee members are considering a petition from Ron Beaty, whose grandaughter Erin was badly injured after getting off a school bus. Mr Stevenson said: "The families who have lost children as a result of road accidents have faced unimaginable tragedy.
He wants bus companies to be forced by councils to increase safety measures, and hopes the minister will offer his support. "We don't currently have powers over road safety legislation, but I am determined that we make full use of our devolved responsibilities to ensure action is taken in Scotland.
"This is very much a work in progress, but we are considering a wide range of measures to increase the safety of our children, through better education of children and drivers, through to greater visibility."
'Looks promising'
He said: "We are looking at measures to increase the visibility of school children, new education resources, and advanced warning systems which urge drivers to exercise extreme caution.
"The SeeMe technology has proven successful in Sweden and looks promising, but we also want to look at what other technology is available elsewhere in the market. This trial will allow us to properly assess its impact.
"These measures being outlined today have the potential to improve child safety and as we move forward we want to identify further action which can be taken over the short, medium and long term to make school bus services safer."
It was the first time the committee had met in Fraserburgh.
Committee members were considering a petition from Ron Beaty, whose grandaughter Erin was badly injured after getting off a school bus.
He wants bus companies to be forced by councils to increase safety measures.
New school bus safety information was recently made available on the 1second1life website.New school bus safety information was recently made available on the 1second1life website.