HC Deb 27 January 1970 vol 794 cc1185-8
8. Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made in the reduction of accidents in fog on motorways.

24. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for improving road safety on motorways during bad weather.

43. Mr. Henig

asked the Minister of Transport what further measures he is planning to increase safety on motorways.

Mr. Mulley

The improved signal system now being introduced over the motorway network should help a great deal. But the real answer must be careful and responsible driving and this includes making proper allowance for weather conditions.

Sir R. Russell

Is the Minister aware that it is not only a question of motorway madness but sometimes a feeling of being lost in the middle of a desert and the urge to cling to the rear light of the car in front? Will he look at the question of having more reflectors not only on the outside of each carriageway but between the lanes as well?

Mr. Mulley

I am grateful to the hon. Member for that suggestion. We are considering a great number of suggestions which we have received as a result of the unfortunate accidents in December. I endorse what the hon. Member has said. There are some people who drive like lunatics on motorways, but the average motorist is very responsible and considerable responsibility has been shown in recent weeks when weather conditions have been bad.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Does the Minister agree that one of the most relevant steps which could be taken would be to make warning signs relevant to the occasion as only too often new warning signs are off when they should be on and on when they should be off?

Mr. Mulley

The new system will permit indicating a wide range of recommended speeds, which lanes are closed and that kind of thing. I agree that on motorways where there is only a 30 m.p.h. warning sign that is not possible, but we are advocating the remote control computer system as far as we can. There is always bound to be an element of human frailty in the fact that one depends on people exercising judgment and they cannot be infallible, but the new system with computers will be used as reasonably as can be devised.

Mr. Tinn

Does my right hon. Friend realise that those motorists who cannot recognise fog for what it is and do not drive reasonably are unlikely to understand an abstract system of signs which is now being introduced and which is not self-explanatory? As some motorists understand signals and some do not, might there not be an additional hazard created by the new system?

Mr. Mulley

If my hon. Friend looks at the system introduced on the M4 between London and the airport he will see that it indicates very clearly recommended speeds per hour and very clearly if lanes have been closed and if there is a diversion. We are doing as much as we can to make these matters clear. I should not have thought that this was a serious problem.

Mr. Carlisle

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that one of the worst parts of motorways is on the M6 Thelwall Viaduct in my constituency? A decision was taken as long ago as September. 1968, that new computer-controlled warning lights were needed, yet no contract was awarded until September, 1969. When will lights be in existence on that part of the road?

Mr. Mulley

I cannot without notice give a precise date, but I will write to the hon. Member and tell him. We appreciate the urgency of the system on the M6, but these are very complicated and expensive systems and it is not possible to create them overnight.

Mr. Mapp

Does my right hon. Friend realise that enforcement is the method rather than education in these days? Will he be good enough to consider whether a tine-camera fronted fore and aft on a moving police vehicle may be more effective in identifying offenders, and then the courts could deal with such things rather than having too much education which is being lost?

Mr. Mulley

I would not agree that there is no value in education. I have had a very great response to my letters to each editor and to television and radio producers. Over Christmas we had more publicity than ever before. I do not think education is wasted. Enforcement is a matter for the police authorities and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and not strictly for me. In the context of fog everyone will realise that the last thing we want is a line of cars chasing offenders up motorways in conditions which are already hazardous.