HC Deb 21 December 1960 vol 632 c1284
41. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have been caused in the last twelve months as a result of motorists being dazzled by headlights.

Mr. Hay

I regret that the information is not available for the period asked for. In 1958 the police reported that dazzling by the lights of another vehicle was a contributory factor in 1,130 accidents involving motor cars.

Mr. Johnson

Has my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the book by Captain Popkess entitled "Traffic Control and Road Accident Prevention" and in particular to this statement Drivers complained of being dazzled in one out of every eight accidents to service vehicles in January and February, 1946. What action is being taken to try to solve this very serious problem of dazzle?

Mr. Hay

My attention has not been drawn to the book my hon. Friend mentions, but now that it has been I will have a look at it. The figures I have given this morning do not entirely bear out the conclusion drawn in the statement to which my hon. Friend has referred. The problem of dazzle is difficult of solution and any substantial breakthrough on the technical point seems still quite a long way away.

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