HC Deb 08 October 1941 vol 374 cc980-1
42. Mr. Lipson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether in view of a recent decision of the judicature, he proposes to amend the Highway Code rule about a driver driving within the limits of his vision?

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Colonel Llewellin)

No, Sir. Certainly not. The advice to drivers in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the Highway Code hold good under black-out conditions.

Mr. Lipson

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the decision mentioned laid down the duty of anyone walking in the road in the black-out to look behind as well as in front? Is not that asking too much?

Colonel Llewellin

It would not be right for me to comment on a case in the High Court, but there was some question of contributory negligence on the part of the cyclist, who had not a light on his bicycle.

43. Mr. Lipson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in view of a recent decision of the judicature based on the assumption that the present regulation side-lights are merely to indicate the position of a vehicle to other persons at night, he will make compulsory the use at night of a masked head-lamp, except when during an alert an order is given by a competent authority for the head-lamp to be extinguished?

Colonel Llewellin

From the point of view of road safety it is most desirable that drivers of motor vehicles should use their head-lamps during black-out hours, except when the police give instructions to the contrary. At present we do not propose to make their use compulsory as there may well be occasions during the actual progress of an air raid when both drivers and public would be strongly opposed to headlights being on.

Mr. Lipson

In view of the first part of the answer, will my right hon. and gallant Friend ask his Advisory Committee on Road Safety to consider the point and see whether there is not a case for making masked headlamps compulsory?

Colonel Llewellin

I do not think I will ask them to consider it again. They did consider it, and we took their advice.