§ 16. Sir Frank Sandersonasked the Minister of Transport the approximate number of deaths and injuries due to road accidents during the months of September, 1938, and September, 1939, respectively?
§ 18. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Transport the number of persons killed in road accidents during the month of September in the years 1938 and 1939, respectively?
§ Captain WallaceI regret to inform the House that the number of persons reported to have died during the month of September, 1939, as a result of road accidents in Great Britain is 1,130 as compared with 554 in September, 1938. Information as to the number of injured is not available. The Government view this increase in deaths on the road with deep concern. Since the first days of the emergency efforts have been made to achieve the maximum possible safety in road conditions consistent with the overriding demands of defence against attack from the air. The measures taken include the relaxation of the headlamp lighting restrictions, compulsory rear lights for cyclists, the use of hand torches by pedestrians and the provision on a large scale of aids-to-movement such as the marking of roads, kerbstones and pedestrian crossings.
Experiments have recently been conducted under the direction of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security with a view to mitigating the difficulties due to lack of street lighting, but they have not so far met with success from the point of view of the concealment of objectives from aircraft. The public can help to secure a reduction in accidents by exercising increased care on the roads and by refraining from the use of motor vehicles after dark except for absolutely essential purposes. I would make a most earnest appeal to the drivers of all motor vehicles to recognise the need for a general and substantial reduction of speed under "black-out" conditions. The "black-out" must remain an essential part of our defence measures, and any beneficial effect which a relaxation would have on road accidents has to be set against an increased exposure to the risk of heavy casualties from air raids.
§ Sir F. SandersonIs it not a fact that the total number of casualties on the roads exceeds those of the war during the same period, on land, sea and air?
§ Captain WallaceI could not possibly answer that question without notice.
Mr. JenkinsIs it not a fact that 50 per cent, of the street lamps are lit every night in Paris, which is in the danger zone, and would it not be possible to permit some relaxation of the restrictions in the towns of this country?
§ Captain WallaceA general question of that kind should be addressed to the Minister of Home Security.
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithThe right hon. Gentleman has referred to drivers. I understand that the drivers are not responsible for the accidents or for the speed of their vehicles in so far as they are scheduled service vehicles, and, therefore, it is the schedule which really matters and not the drivers. Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to look into the question again with specific reference to see if it is not possible to introduce a uniform system of lighting on all vehicles—which could be switched off in the event of emergency—which all can understand?
§ Captain WallaceThere is no suggestion which would alleviate these terrible conditions which I am not willing to examine. I was not for a moment imputing special responsibility to drivers, and particularly to drivers of public service vehicles, but the House will agree that under present conditions of the black-out, which I believe to be essential, we must appeal for the cooperation of all drivers of all vehicles to do what they can to minimise the number of casualties. If there are any cases in which adherence to an excessively severe schedule makes it difficult for the driver to drive carefully, I am perfectly willing to consider them, and I am certain that the companies concerned will be equally willing to do so.