HC Deb 16 May 1956 vol 552 cc1990-3
25. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that the risk of accidents would be greatly reduced if motorists would switch on sidelights, when driving, and cyclists would switch on their lights, well before lighting-up time, and if motorists would make greater use of dipped headlights when driving in all but the most brightly-lit streets; and if he will recommend them to take such action by means of the Highway Code or such other methods as are available to his Department.

31. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the uncertainty and difference of opinion among motorists as to whether it is better to switch headlights on or off in areas of moderate visibility; and if he will have statistics and some guidance published to indicate which of these practices tends more towards lessening the rate of accidents.

Mr. Watkinson

Under certain conditions it is certainly safer for motorists and cyclists to switch on their lights before the law requires this to be done. Local toad safety committees have this point in mind and in their propaganda urge drivers and riders to light up early where necessary.

No statistics of accidents in areas of moderate visibility are available, but I recommend that headlights should be switched on whenever they can aid vision. Rule 59 of the Highway Code says: After dark, do not rely on side lights: in built-up areas unless the street lighting is good

Mr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Germany, for example, people are not allowed to use parking lights for driving, and have to switch on the headlights after dark?

Sir F. Medlicott

Would the Minister bear in mind that this problem of headlights is one of the greatest dangers, and that certain standardisation of practice—or, better still, of headlight types— would be a very great contribution to road safety?

Mr. Watkinson

I certainly agree about headlight types. That, of course, is something which has been shown up very much at the Hendon Vehicle Testing Station. Whether the practice should or should not be to use headlights is a very difficult problem, but I think that more people should use them on minor or unlighted roads.

Mr. Stokes

Regardless of lighting-up time, would the Minister not agree that it would be a good thing if there were a standard practice when, so to speak, dipping lights, that the order should be to dip the offside headlight to the left and put the nearside headlight out, leaving the sidelights on? What people usually do is to put out the offside headlight and blind one with the nearside headlight.

Mr. Watkinson

I agree; but the right hon. Gentleman knows also that most modern cars are fitted with double-dipping headlights, so that it is rather difficult to arrange.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Would it not be better if lighting-up time during the summer months were advanced to half an hour after sunset instead of being an hour, as it is at the moment?

Mr. Watkinson

I am looking into that matter now.

32. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the danger to other motorists caused by the width of lorries, especially when driving at night, he will introduce regulations to enforce the practice, which has proved successful in the United States of America, whereby all large vehicles are compelled, at night, to carry amber lights at the extremities, both in the front and rear, and also at the height of the vehicle, so as to indicate its overall dimensions to other motorists on the roads.

Mr. Watkinson

Lorries, like most other vehicles, must carry two white front lights not more than twelve inches from the outer edges of the vehicle, and two red reflectors not more than sixteen inches from the outer edges, and from 1st October next two red rear lights not more than thirty inches from the outer edges.

In my view, these requirements should give sufficient indication to other motorists to enable them to clear with safety. I see no particular advantage in a light to indicate the height of a vehicle.

Sir F. Medlicott

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, although these lorries are invariably extremely well driven, they do at night constitute one of the real hazards of driving for other motorists? Would he continue to watch the possible need for some still further indication of their width and overall dimensions?

Mr. Watkinson

I certainly will, but I hope two red rear lights will be a contribution.