§ 43. Captain Sir William Brassasked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the fact that pedestrians at present take very little notice of the traffic lights during the black-out, many of which are difficult 206 to see, he will consider experimenting with pedestrian light controls working in conjunction with the traffic lights but in the opposite sense, in order to show pedestrians when traffic is flowing and when it has stopped and a free passage across the road is available?
§ Captain WallaceAs I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on 26th July last, I had proposed to issue a circular to highway authorities urging the provision of additional light signals for pedestrians wherever these are practicable and warranted. I much regret that owing to the diversion of members of my staff to other urgent war duties, the issue of this circular has been delayed; but the matter is now in hand and it will be issued in the near future.
§ Sir W. BrassIs my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that pedestrians very often cannot see the traffic light in the dark, and that accidents occur because they begin to cross just as the green is showing and the traffic begins to move? It is really a very serious matter in the dark.
§ Captain WallaceAs I said in the Debate last week, the pedestrians should look at the traffic and not only at the lights.
§ Sir W. BrassThey cannot.
Miss RathboneWill the inquiry which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman said he was to undertake pursue its investigation into how far pedestrians contribute to accidents as a result of wearing excessively dark clothing?
§ Captain WallaceWe shall try so far as we can to discover the primary cause of every accident.
§ Sir W. BrassDo I understand that pedestrians are expected, at the light control, to look at the traffic and not at the light?
§ Captain WallaceThe pedestrian should make perfectly certain that something is not turning to the left. If he relies entirely on the light he may be in danger of being run over.