49. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Transport what study has been made, and what further study is being contemplated, of accident-proneness in relation to road safety.
§ Mr. HayInvestigation of the question whether any relationship can be 1080 established between the characteristics of individual drivers, and the number and type of accidents which they sustain, is on the long-term programme of the Road Research Laboratory. Some limited studies have been made by the Laboratory in collaboration with the Medical Research Council.
We will look into the possibility of an extension of research in this field by the appropriate bodies.
Mr. Gresham CookeIs my hon. Friend aware that there have been investigations in the United States of America and in Germany which tend to show that about 20 per cent. of drivers are responsible for about 80 per cent. of accidents? If, in collaboration with the insurance companies, this could be confirmed in this country, it might be that we could put corrective measures on the 20 per cent. who are responsible for the great majority of accidents.
§ Mr. HayI am aware of the American experience in this matter. It is by no means conclusive, but we are asking the Road Research Laboratory to look into the possibility of further research in this country.