HC Deb 23 October 1950 vol 478 cc2460-2
5. Mr. Erroll

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the increase in road accidents since the removal of petrol rationing; and the steps taken to prevent them.

6. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the increase in the number of road accidents since the removal of petrol rationing; and what measures he is taking to minimise the loss of life on the roads.

Mr. Barnes

Since the end of petrol rationing I regret that more accidents have resulted. The total road casualties in June, July and August, 1950, were 61,926 as compared with 50,449 in the corresponding period of 1949. They were, however, 4,868 less than the 1938 figure. Almost all road accidents are caused by human error and the effect of action by central and local authorities is limited. I hope in due course to give effect by legislation to certain recommendations of the late Committee on Road Safety.

I am, however, discussing with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary whether the police can make any further contribution towards the solution of this problem, having regard to the general demand made on the time of the police and to the manpower difficulties in many police forces. In present circumstances expenditure on road improvements must be kept to a minimum, but I always endeavour to give assistance where it is shown that road conditions are causing road accidents. In the difficult circumstances I would urge the need for extreme care and courtesy by everyone on the roads.

Mr. Erroll

While the Minister is giving his attention to this matter, will he bear in mind that many of the human errors to which he refers could be avoided if the necessary road improvements were carried out, many of which would not involve much expenditure?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, Sir, I am fully aware of that, and no one regrets the need for economy in this direction more than I do.

Brigadier Medlicott

While making all allowance for all other factors, is it not a fact that bad driving is the main reason for these accidents, and as there are thousands of people who have never passed a driving test at all will the Minister look again at the whole question of imposing tests upon all who drive on the roads?

Mr. Barnes

No, Sir, I really could not allow the statement to pass in this House that the majority of the accidents are due to bad driving.

Mr. Assheton

In view of the very great anxiety which exists in the country about this matter, which, I know, the Minister fully shares, may I ask whether he has studied the special efforts which were made by the Lancashire County Police to deal with this problem?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, Sir. Those experiments were very much appreciated. As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and my Department take note of all these experiments and bring them to the attention of other authorities.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Would the Minister consider following the example of Sweden and bringing in legislation to forbid the blowing of horns? This would make both the pedestrian and the motorist much more careful. Will the Minister answer this because it is a very important question.

Mr. Eric Fletcher

Will my right hon. Friend consider the desirability of some driving tests taking place at night, because the fact that a person can pass a test in day-time is no indication that he can do so at night?

Mr. Barnes

I can quite understand the desire to increase the severity of the driving test, but, as experience shows, it is not always efficiency in a driving test that matters but what happens in moments of forgetfulness or carelessness, even in the case of experienced drivers. While a test helps to establish a standard of efficiency before a person takes to the road, it would be a mistake to think that there is any short cut to the elimination of accidents by this means.

Commander Maitland

Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider giving more publicity to the appalling road accident figures? That is probably the best way of getting the dangers of the road home to the people of the country.

Mr. Barnes

I should point out that since the end of the war considerable sums have been spent on publicity campaigns.

Commander Maitland

I meant publicity for the figures and not awful pictures of a lady weeping for people lost on the roads.

Mr. Barnes

As a matter of fact, the poster upon which the hon. and gallant Gentleman is commenting adversely proved to be one of the best posters we have issued on this pattern.

12. Miss Bacon

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any further information to add to that contained in his letter of 30th September, about the accident which occurred in Marsh Lane, Leeds, on Sunday, 17th September.

Mr. Barnes

Since this accident occurred, there have been two further similar incidents. All three suggest wilful action and are being investigated by the authorities and there is nothing can add at this stage.