§ 44. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the reduction in the number of road accidents and of persons killed and injured in such accidents, respectively, since petrol rationing was introduced; and what steps he is taking to stress the need for the road safety campaign on motorists and the general public.
§ Mr. WatkinsonFrom 1st December last to 28th February deaths fell by 280 and injuries by 8,457 compared with the same period a year ago 381 although February itself shows a slight increase. Figures for accidents as distinct from casualties are not yet complete.
I am continuing, with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and local road safety committees throughout the country, to urge road safety on all road users.
§ Mr. HunterWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, and noting the welcome reduction in the number of accidents and deaths, may I ask him to make sure that when petrol rationing ends and there is more traffic on the roads, the public is not lulled into a belief that the figures have fallen? Also, will the right hon. Gentleman stress the need for conducting even more vigorously the road safety campaign in the interests of the general public?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising this point. I am raising with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents the question of a special campaign which we might try to time with the ending of petrol rationing in an attempt to do what the hon. Gentleman suggests.