§ 49. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many people have been killed and injured, respectively, whilst using, or attempting to use, zebra crossings since those crossings were first instituted, to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterTwo hundred and nineteen people have been killed and 1,944 persons seriously injured on zebra crossings in the three years following their introduction on 1st November, 1951. I am afraid I have no figures covering the same period for slight injuries.
§ Sir F. MedlicottAre not these figures rather disturbing, in view of the fact that crossings were designed to provide pedestrians with relative immunity from accidents of this kind?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAll casualty figures are, of course, disturbing, but in view of the much greater use of these crossings which is developing, the figures clearly indicate that, lamentable though the casualties are, the crossings make a very big contribution towards saving lives.
§ Lieut-Colonel LiptonHow can it be a justification for zebra crossings when the greater the number of people who use them the greater is the number of people knocked down and killed on them?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman would appreciate that the proportion is smaller, he can work that out.
§ 54. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that many places where flashing Belisha beacons have been installed have little or no traffic at certain times or days, while having 152 heavy traffic at other times; and, in view of the public expense and the annoyance to those in the immediate vicinity, he will authorise their discontinuance when the amount of traffic does not justify their use.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir, I think this would be dangerous.