HC Deb 16 April 1953 vol 514 cc363-4
28. Mr. R. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions took place in 1952 against motorists for not having in good order a headlamp-dipping device in accordance with the Vehicles Lighting Regulations, 1950.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

No separate records are kept of the number of proceedings taken for this offence.

29. Mr. R. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to deal with the widespread infringement of the Vehicles Lighting Regulations, 1950, by drivers who have no device in working order for dipping their headlamps.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

The enforcement of the relevant regulation is a matter for the police and is undertaken by them in the ordinary course of their duty. My right hon. and learned Friend has no reason for thinking that the police do not pay suitable attention to this aspect of vehicle lighting.

Mr. Bell

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is common knowledge that there is a great deal of evasion of the regulation? Will he tell the police that it is quite easy to detect infringements of the regulation, because if they will stop any motorist who has an extinguished offside front lamp and the inside head lamp undipped, they will find that in at least half of the cases the dipping device is out of order?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

If my hon. Friend will give evidence of the facts which he has just stated, that evidence will, of course, be considered.

Mr. Poole

Does the Minister not realise that dazzle is one of the greatest hazards in driving on the roads today and that he ought to stimulate the police to take action in this matter in order that those motorists who are not only failing to dim their lights but are also using headlights of capacity in excess of that allowed by the law are suitably dealt with?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

As I have said, if the hon. Gentleman will provide evidence of those facts, that evidence will, of course, be considered. Without evidence, it is impossible to take action.