HC Deb 03 February 1969 vol 777 cc19-22
6. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Transport what diminution of road accidents occurred in 1968 consequent upon the breathalyser, notably at holidays, particularly Christmas; and what estimate of further progress he has made for 1969.

Mr. Marsh

In the first 11 months of 1968 fatal and serious casualties were 8 per cent. lower than in the corresponding period in 1967. Over the Easter holiday period casualties were 24 per cent. lower, and over the Spring Bank Holiday 23 per cent. lower; over the late Summer holiday they were 2 per cent. higher. The final figures for December are not yet available. It would, of course, be wrong to attribute these reductions to any one cause, but it is clear that the new law on drinking and driving was a major factor.

Sir G. Nabarro

Having regard to the proliferation of road accidents and the fact that the number of accidents overall is tending to increase rather than decrease, what are the right hon. Gentleman's plans for the future of the breathalyser and associated safety measure tests?

Mr. Marsh

The point is that traffic is increasing at present and the figures I have just read show that we are having very considerable success in holding down the number of accidents, indeed reducing the number.

Mr. Lipton

Would it not have been possible for the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) to have obtained this information without putting down a Parliamentary Question but by a breach of the Official Secrets Act?

9. Sir B. Rhys Williams

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total number of occupants of motor cars known to have been injured and the number killed in accidents in Great Britain in 1968; and what information is obtained by his Department as to causes of injury or death in road accidents.

Mr. Bob Brown

Figures for the whole year are not yet available. In the first 11 months of 1968 2,052 occupants of motor cars and taxis were killed in road accidents, and 29,489 were seriously injured. Information about every injury accident is collected by the police and reported to the Department. This is supplemented by more detailed studies carried out by the Road Research Laboratory, and the Area Road Safety Units.

Sir B. Rhys Williams

What use is made of s information by the Minister's Department?

Mr. Brown

A lot of work is already done by the Road Research Laboratory and other independent organisations such as Birmingham Accident Hospital and various universities. Research efforts need to be apportioned among the various different aspects of road safety before final decisions are taken.

10. Sir B. Rhys Williams

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of analysing the necessary data about the accidents in Great Britain involving occupants of motor cars in which deaths or serious injuries result over a period of 12 months, with a view to obtaining significant indications as to the relative safety of different models currently in popular use.

Mr. Bob Brown

Considerable analysis of accident data goes on in the Department and elsewhere. Studies have so far not shown significant differences between particular models of car. It would not be feasible to analyse every accident of the kind the hon. Member has in mind.

Sir B. Rhys Williams

Would it not be in the public interest if all this information were made public with the Ministry's observations?

Mr. Brown

As I said in answer to the previous Question, the Department and the Road Research Laboratory are putting considerable effort into this subject. In addition, valuable work is done by Birmingham Accident Hospital and the universities. The Ministry takes a keen interest in the safety work done by the Road Research Laboratory.

Mr. Rankin

Will my hon. Friend say in what way roads today are safer for pedestrians and for drivers than heretofore? Do the figures quoted so far in the House today show that any real progress has been made in achieving road safety?

Mr. Brown

I am sure the figures clearly show that the roads are safer than they were. With the extension of the motorway programme and the increase in the trunk roads programme we are making great steps.

Mr. Heseltine

Could the hon. Gentleman now answer the Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington, South (Sir B. Rhys Williams)—why is this information not published?

Mr. Brown

Mainly because it is still being collated and there is no point in publishing inconclusive information.