HC Deb 23 March 1953 vol 513 cc466-7
5. Sir H. Williams

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to cancel the Regulation which makes it illegal for motor cars to use their horns at night.

Mr. Braithwaite

The Regulation applies only to built-up areas, and I have no reason to think it has outlived its usefulness.

Sir H. Williams

As the object of the Regulation is the avoidance of accidents, why is it less desirable to avoid accidents at night than it is during during the daytime?

Mr. Braithwaite

There are other considerations. I doubt whether hon. Members would wish our great cities to resemble certain European capitals where it is next door to impossible to obtain any sleep at all.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

Would not the Minister agree that the motor horn is all too often the refuge of the dangerous and careless driver?

Mr. Braithwaite

Without entering into that problem, I would reply that this experiment was initiated as long ago as 1934 and has worked excellently, and that authorities from a number of European capitals are studying our methods to see whether it is possible to reduce noise in their own cities.

Sir T. Moore

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Sweden the use of motor car horns is prohibited both by day and night, with a marked reduction in traffic accidents?

Mr. Braithwaite

Yes, Sir.