HC Deb 14 July 1969 vol 787 cc16-7
12. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Minister of Transport how far research has progressed in the field of possible devices on articulated lorries to avoid jack-knifing.

Mr. Bob Brown

Research into possible devices on articulated vehicles to prevent jack-knifing is still being carried out. Such devices are at present undergoing trials in field conditions, but it is too early to say what the results will be.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

Will my hon. Friend follow up these researches diligently? Is he aware that there are an increasing number of accidents by jackknifing of these articulated vehicles, many of them travelling greatly in excess of the speed limit? Would he at least assure the House that if this goes on he will consider legislation providing for far greater penalties than those at present?

Mr. Brown

The question of articulated lorries or any other vehicles exceeding the speed limit is not one for me. I would add that a sample survey by the Road Research Laboratory shows that there is very little difference in terms of accidents between articulated vehicles and other large goods vehicles. The articulated vehicles are marginally better on motorways, while the situation is reversed on other roads. National statistics have not been kept separately, but we are keeping them now and will have them available later this year.