§ 26. Sir Joseph Nallasked the Minister of Transport whether he will impose, by order, a uniform 20 miles per hour speed limit for all vehicles during the hours of darkness in all built-up and urban areas?
§ The Minister of Transport (Captain Wallace)To those who drive with any regard to their own safety or that of others, black-out conditions in themselves 902 impose severe restrictions on speed. If any person drives at a speed which is dangerous in all the circumstances, he can be convicted of dangerous driving, and I should prefer to rely on these provisions rather than upon a reduced general limit of speed.
§ Sir J. NallDoes not my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that there is great danger at the present time, because a great many drivers are not driving with the care which he has indicated?
§ Captain WallaceI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. All I say is that I do not think the imposition of a general limit of 20 miles an hour in built-up areas would achieve the object we both have in mind.
§ Dr. Haden GuestDoes not the right hon. and gallant Member think that in many black-out areas 20 miles an hour would be a very dangerous speed?
§ Captain WallaceI think it is far better to deal with it in the way I have suggested.