The parents of Claire Fitzgerald, who tragically died in a devastating school minibus crash on the M40 over 30 years ago, are calling for urgent improvements in road safety standards for school transport.
In 1993, Claire, aged 13, was among the victims killed when the minibus carrying pupils and a teacher from Hagley Catholic High School, Worcestershire, collided with a lorry. The group had been returning from a school trip to London. Alongside Claire, a teacher and 12 pupils lost their lives, while two pupils survived the horrific collision.
Liz and Steve Fitzgerald have devoted years campaigning for enhanced safety measures, concerned that similar risks still threaten children today. At the heart of their concerns is the current regulation that allows teachers with just a standard driver’s license, held for more than two years, to operate minibuses with up to 16 passengers without needing a specialized D1 licence. This D1 licence requires a medical exam, a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) theory pass, and a practical driving test.
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Mr Fitzgerald criticized this discrepancy, questioning why schools are not held to higher standards similar to those for commercial drivers. Mrs Fitzgerald expressed a clear preference: “Teachers, teach. Drivers, drive,” emphasizing that teaching staff should not have to undertake driving responsibilities. She recounted the chilling realization that her grandchildren face the very dangers that claimed Claire’s life decades ago.
Joining the Fitzgeralds in their campaign is Sarah Edwards, Labour MP for Tamworth, who advocates making the D1 licence mandatory for all teachers driving minibuses. Edwards stressed the importance of ensuring drivers feel confident and are not fatigued: “Safety must be paramount, not convenience or cost-saving.”
The NASUWT teachers’ union strongly recommends that its members avoid driving minibuses, arguing it should not be a contractual obligation. Their survey revealed that one in four teachers have been pressured into this role, with one in ten having driven more than 50 miles after a full day of teaching.
NASUWT General Secretary Matt Wrack condemned the current rules as “indefensible,” calling for the longstanding loophole to be closed immediately. “Parents expect their children to be driven by properly trained individuals with the correct licenses,” he stated, emphasizing the unnecessary risks posed by the government’s inaction.
Drivers who passed their test before 1997 retain a D1 licence automatically, but the government insists it prioritizes road safety. A spokesperson confirmed ongoing efforts to provide guidance on minibus driving and to engage with campaigners to ensure safety for staff and pupils during school travel.
Despite progress in road safety over the years, the Fitzgeralds and campaigners remain determined to see meaningful change implemented, ensuring that no family has to endure the loss they have suffered.