§ 49. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to make the observance of automatic traffic lights by pedestrians compulsory.
§ The Minister of Transport and of Civil Aviation (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)It is not my present intention to deal with this particular matter by legislation.
§ Sir T. MooreSurely my right hon. Friend will remember that this point has been always in dispute and has never been really settled. Does he not think that, in the interests of the people concerned it is time a clear ruling were given?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am satisfied that it would be impossible for the very overburdened police effectively to enforce observance of traffic lights by pedestrians, but there may be other ways in which responsibility for safety on the roads can be spread more fairly among all road users, and I am looking at those other ways.
§ Mr. UsborneWhen considering traffic lights, does the Minister realise that the two colours used are the very ones that most colour-blind people most consistently confuse?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThat has been frequently argued, but my predecessors and others have come to the conclusion that these are the best colours for the vast majority of road users who, I am glad to say, are not colour-blind.
§ Mr. NicholsonHas it ever been seriously suggested that in the middle of the night some wretched pedestrian should have to wait until a car comes along and changes the lights?