HC Deb 29 April 1936 vol 311 cc895-6
38. Mr. W. ROBERTS

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that it is frequently impossible for drivers to see the signals made by the drivers of large vehicles, especially motor omnibuses, he will, in the interest of public safety, make it compulsory for such vehicles to be equipped with some type of automatic signals?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

The Regulations prescribe that the driver's seat shall be so placed as to permit him to give by hand the usual traffic signals on the offside of the vehicle. It has not hitherto been found desirable to make the fitting of mechanical indicators compulsory on any vehicle, and the Regulations confine themselves to prescribing the form which indicators Should take if they are fitted.

Mr. ROBERTS

Has the right hon. Gentleman had experience of driving on twisted country roads, for instance, where it is almost entirely impossible to see any signal made by the driver of a large omnibus or similar vehicle

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Whether or not that be the case, I do not think making it compulsory to have such indicators would be a solution. Some drivers are in the habit of leaving their indicators on when they ought to nave turned them off again.

Mr. DAY

Cannot they be made automatic? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a lot of automatic signals fixed to motor cars?