HC Deb 03 May 1933 vol 277 cc831-2
23. Mr. LOVAT-FRASER

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that many motor accidents are caused by drivers who are incompetent and unfitted to drive; and if he will take steps to secure that licences are only granted to suitable applicants?

Mr. STANLEY

I assume my hon. Friend to suggest that applicants for motor driving licences should be subjected to a driving test. This question was discussed at length when the Road Traffic Act, 1930, was before Parliament and I do not at present see sufficient justification for introducing amending legislation on the point. I hope that the inquiry which is now proceeding into the causes and circumstances of fatal accidents will throw some light on the extent to which they are due to any want of capacity, on the part of drivers, such as would be disclosed by a driving test.

24. Mr. LOVAT-FRASER

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the average number of deaths from motor accidents in Great Britain is 17 per day; and whether he proposes to take measures with the object of reducing this figure?

Mr. STANLEY

The number of accidents on roads is a matter of grave concern to me. The provisions of the Bill which is down for Second Reading this afternoon will add to the safety and convenience of users of the highway, and the investigation which my Department, with the help of the police, is now carrying out into the causes and circumstances of all fatal road accidents will, I hope, provide information on which further remedial action can be based.

Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

When will the statistics as to the causes of these accidents be available?

Mr. STANLEY

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the statistics will not be of much value unless they cover a fairly long period, and, as, I think, was stated by my predecessor in response to a question, we are considering whether it would be useful to publish the six months' figures, or whether it will be necessary to wait for the completion of the year.

Mr. PIKE

Is the Minister taking into consideration the large number of accidents due to inefficiency and negligence on the part of pedestrians apart from accidents due to inefficiency on the part of the motorists?