HC Deb 25 November 1953 vol 521 cc327-8
2. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the fact that the intermittent flashing amber beacons on zebra crossings are tending to confuse motorists who drive up to them and thereby increase the possibilities of road accidents; and whether he will change the system of lighting up zebra crossings.

Mr. Molson

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Shepherd), the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Fienburgh) and the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 18th November.

Mr. Davies

Whilst thanking the Minister for that reply and informing him that I have looked through those answers, may I ask whether he or the Ministry have consulted the Road Research Laboratory on the effect of these flashing beacons? They say that there has been a 14 per cent. decrease in the number of deaths of pedestrians as a result of the installation of zebra crossings. Would the Minister be prepared to finance a little research into the use of these flashing beacons? Does he not agree that that research could be conducted by the Road Research Laboratory and that funds from motor taxation could be raided for the purpose?

Mr. Molson

These flashing beacons were introduced at the suggestion of the Road Research Laboratory.