32. Lieut.-Colonel Doweraskedthe Minister of War Transport whether any decision has yet been made to authorise the fixing of warning notices on trunk roads where there is a sudden change in the surface of such roads.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. G.Strauss)I do not think it desirable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member. Any such warning notice 1511 as suggested would be misleading unless it was sufficiently detailed to indicate the conditions under which it became operative.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that many accidents are caused by vehicles coming off a road surface, which grips well, and going on to a surface on which a driver might skid? Is it not desirable, therefore, in order to avoid accidents, to warn motorists as I have suggested?
Mr. StraussI do not think a warning notice would really be the best way of tackling that difficulty. Considerable care is taken by my Department and local authorities to get surfaces which are bad into a safe state.
§ 43. Mr. Laversasked the Minister of War Transport whether, in view of the high accident rate, he will arrange that dangerous road surfaces, particularly those of wooden blocks, will be constantly treated with sand, gravel, etc., in inclement weather.
Mr. StraussThe application of grit to roads which have become slippery as a result of weather conditions is standard practice and I do not think that highway authorities require to be reminded of their responsibilities in this connection.
§ 44. Mr. Laversasked the Minister of War Transport whether he will, as a spur to the safety first campaign, arrange for the rigorous prosecution of motorists who do not observe the courtesy of the road, particularly during the hours of darkness.
Mr. StraussThe enforcement of the traffic law is a matter for the police. Where discourteous conduct on the roads does not involve a breach of the law it must be dealt with by measures other than prosecution.
§ Mr. LaversWhile I thank the Minister for his reply, is he aware that the practice followed on highways at nights is definitely a menace to motorists? We appreciate that the highway code could not be fully enforced during the war period, but could it not be enforced now?
§ 73. Mr. Laversasked the Minister of War Transport whether he will consider the formation of a trained and experienced body of lecturers on safety first constantly to visit and lecture at schools throughout the country.
Mr. StraussRoad safety training is commonly given in schools throughout the country. In many cases the valuable work of the teachers is supplemented by talks given by selected police officers and in my view the more extensive use of the police in this connection is preferable to the formation of a special body of lecturers.