§ 15. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that in the United States of America there are effective signs using the word "Walk", or the words "Don't Walk", to indicate when it is safe for pedestrians to cross the roads at the main traffic-light controlled intersections, whether he will arrange to have similar signs installed in such intersections in this country.
§ Mr. Hay"Cross" and "Wait" signs for pedestrians are already in use in this country. But because they normally involve stopping all the traffic at the intersection while the "Cross" signal is operating, their use is restricted to those crossings where pedestrians experience special difficulties.
§ Mr. JannerIn view of the fact that these notices are very useful in the United States and have proved extremely effective, does not the hon. Gentleman think that he might consider installing them in many places in this country?
§ Mr. HayThere is difficulty about making an easy comparison between what happens here and what happens in the United States. I understand that in 1016 that country, as in European countries, pedestrians are obliged to obey the signals given by the lights, whereas in this country that has never been accepted as the practice. However, we are considering an experiment in London, where, perhaps, something of this kind might be done.
§ Mr. BennThe whole point, which the Minister is avoiding, is that we on this side have been pressing for at least a year that some control of pedestrians will be necessary to get road safety. Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this will be included in his new Road Safety Bill?