HC Deb 31 May 1956 vol 553 cc432-3
33. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the case of road accidents involving transport vehicles, he will take steps to bring to the notice of the police the advisability of verifying the number of hours the driver was driving during the day of the accident, with a view to preventing further accidents, where these can be avoided, by restricting driving hours to those permitted by law.

Mr. Deedes

It is the normal practice of the police to make such inquiries when investigating accidents involving transport vehicles.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Home Secretary prepared to see that figures are published stating how many accidents are due to this type of over-driving? The trade union movement has been complaining recently about drivers sleeping whilst driving on the roads and causing great danger to drivers of other vehicles.

Mr. Deedes

What is usually done when police get particulars of such cases is that those particulars are referred to the licensing authority.