§ 15. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what evidence he has received that the placing of speed limit derestriction signs in villages where the 30 miles-per-hour limit has been removed at the request of the police is resulting in reckless driving; and if he will allow highway authorities discretion in the use of derestriction signs.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have no evidence that these signs have encouraged reckless driving. If the speed limit is to be respected, motorists must be told clearly where it does not apply, although the road may be lighted.
§ Mr. HurdWill my right hon. Friend look further into this, as it is undesirable that his Department should require de-restriction signs to be put up at danger points in villages on the main roads? It results in people thinking "All clear—I can drive as fast as I like." Would it not be much better to leave this decision to the local highway authorities?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have read the correspondence very carefully, and I quite agree that, in special instances, there may be something in what my hon. Friend says. If there are any special cases, I am prepared to look at them, but, on the general principle, I think it is only fair to the motorist to tell him clearly when there is a 30 m.p.h. limit and when there is not.