§ 2. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Transport what steps he now proposes to take to reduce road fatalities and injuries following recommendations made by the Committee on Road Safety of his Department and other interested bodies.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThree million pounds are being spent this year and next year to improve the roads at accident black spots. My right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland hope, with the co-operation of local authorities, for an increase in the number of adult patrols for school children and I propose to have the Highway Code redrafted in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Road Safety.
These measures, together with others such as the improvement of the zebra crossings by lighting the beacons, will, I hope, maintain the present downward trend in the road accident figures.
§ Mr. NabarroHas not my right hon. Friend omitted reference to a vital consideration which I have been endeavouring to impress upon him for months 1555 past? What about the question of the rear lights of commercial vehicles, their height from the ground, and having a minimum standard of glow in order that they may be more readily apparent in darkness?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy hon. Friend's zeal in this matter is very commendable and I welcome it, but there are, of course, different views as to the best way of achieving the same object, and those views are under searching headlights.
§ Mr. WoodburnWould the right hon. Gentleman consult the Committee on Road Safety about the risk that is being taken by the deterioration of road traffic vehicles and the competition on the roads which is likely to follow the introduction of his new transport proposals?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think the argument advanced by the right hon. Gentleman is a complete non sequitur.