§ 4. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Transport whether he will require a night driving test to be included in all future driving tests conducted before a driving licence is issued to motor and motor-cycle drivers.
§ Mr. MaclayI am afraid that it would be impracticable to require such a test for every applicant for a driving licence.
§ Mr. NabarroWhy would it be impracticable? Is it not the fact that many persons are capable of driving in the day-time but, due to peculiarities of eyesight, are not so capable of driving at night, and that this is the cause of a large number of accidents?
§ Mr. MaclayOne of the reasons why I suggested that it would be impracticable was, as perhaps the hon. Member realises, that in the north of Scotland, for example, there are many months in the year when there would be only half an hour of darkness in which to make such tests.
§ 27. Brigadier R. Medlicottasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the serious number of road accidents, he will now give fresh consideration to the need for imposing a driving test on all road vehicle drivers at intervals of not more than five years.
§ Mr. MaclayThe suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend has been considered from time to time and I have given careful reconsideration to it. I do not think, however, that repeated driving tests would lead to a substantial reduction in the number of accidents.
§ Brigadier MedlicottWhile thanking the Minister for his sympathetic reply, may I ask him whether it is not a fact that a large number of drivers have never had a driving test, and that others, by reason of illness or advancing years, have become less competent? There is also a very strong case for relating the right to drive on the roads to capacity or to proneness to accidents, to which reference has been made.
§ Mr. MaclayThe practical difficulties are very great. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will remember the very formidable series of replies which he must give when he applies for the renewal of his driving licence.