HC Deb 22 January 1958 vol 580 cc1038-40
39. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many people have been killed, how many seriously and how many slightly injured, on the roads in Great Britain since these statistics were first kept.

Mr. Nugent

From 1926 to the end of 1957, 195,767 persons were killed and 5,568,799 were injured on the roads of Great Britain. The total of injuries does not include casualties in the years 1939 to 1941. The distinction between serious and slight injuries was not made regularly until 1942. From 1942 to the end of 1957, 85,116 persons were killed, 733,821 seriously injured and 2,279,713 were slightly injured.

Sir F. Medlicott

Would the Minister take some further opportunity of making known these tragic figures, as the impact of these large numbers might, perhaps, do more good even than the routine repetition of the annual totals?

Mr. Nugent

I thank my hon. Friend for calling attention to them. It is continually my responsibility to bring these very serious losses to the attention of the community and, indeed, to do all in my power to make the public generally aware of the rudimentary rules of road safety.

Mr. Isaacs

Can the Minister say if there are any records showing what percentage of accidents arise after the closing time of the public houses at night?

Mr. Nugent

Yes, the Annual Report that we publish shows the time of the various accidents, and it is then up to individuals to make their own deductions.

    c1039
  1. Ludgate Circus 60 words
  2. cc1039-40
  3. New Trunk Roads (Reflectors) 81 words
  4. c1040
  5. Birmingham Road, Meriden—Allesley 155 words