32. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the advice in paragraph 44 of the Highway Code to drivers of vehicles carrying projecting loads is not being complied with; and what action he proposes to take in order to protect other road users.
§ Mr. BarnesI have no information that this advice is being disregarded, but if the hon. Member will let me have any evidence that it is in cases where danger is likely to be caused to other road users I will be glad to consider it.
Mr. VaneIs the Minister aware that if he motors along A.6 on a day of poor visibility he will find pieces of machinery of all kinds—lifeboats, combine harvesters, etc.—on trailers and various sorts of trucks, which project over the road and which have only the most skimpy bit of grey rag attached to them to mark their extremity.
§ Mr. BarnesI have often motored along A.6, and I may say that, generally speaking, my observations do not confirm what the hon. Member has said. In any case, special loads come under police direction.
Mr. VaneIs it not a fact that at night the extremities of such loads must be marked by lights whereas in the day this is not so? Does not the Minister agree that it is time that the two methods were put on a proper basis?
§ Mr. BarnesThe light at night is, of course, according to regulation. I do not think the light method in the day time would be so suitable as the attaching of rag, or whatever it may be, which is more easily discernible in daylight.