§ 9. Lieut.-Commander Baldockasked the Minister of Transport how many accidents involving personal injury occurred in the last 12 months as a result of collisions at night with parked or slow-moving motor vehicles with defective rear lights.
§ Mr. BarnesDuring the 12 months ended 30th April, 1951, 340 road accidents involving personal injury were attributed by the police primarily to the absence or inadequacy of a rear light on a motor vehicle. Information is not available as to how many of these vehicles were either stationary or moving slowly.
§ Lieut.-Commander BaldockDoes not the Minister consider that these figures show that an inquiry should be held into the advisability of additional precautions, such as the use of reflectors on slow moving vehicles, in order to stop these dangerous accidents?
§ Mr. BarnesI do not think that a special inquiry is justified. The hon. and gallant Member will note that the police keep a check on these figures, which are not abnormal in relation to the total number of accidents.
§ 10. Lieut.-Commander Baldockasked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce regulations requiring islands on unlighted highways to be fitted with red reflectors in addition to being illuminated.
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. The use of red reflectors on islands might cause drivers to pass them on the right, which would be dangerous.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersIt is never dangerous to the "right."