§ 21. Mr. Raphael Tuckasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet able to announce his decision on whether to make compulsory the installation of a device to prevent jackknifing in every articulated lorry.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsNo, Sir. The effort to develop effective anti-jackknifing equipment has revealed problems which are still under investigation. Further study and extensive trials will be needed before any decision on compulsion can be taken.
§ Mr. TuckSince there were 716 cases of injury in 1969 due to articulated lorries jackknifing, does not the hon. Gentleman think that something should be done about it, as is being done in the United States? Is he further aware that Watford a few weeks ago nearly had a by-election because an articulated lorry jackknifed and nearly hit and fell on top of the car in which the hon. Member for Watford and his wife were travelling?
§ Mr. GriffithsI am sorry to hear of that incident. But I ask the hon Gentleman to remind himself that the overall accident rate of articulated vehicles is about the same as that for similarly sized rigid lorries. This matter is being studied and some anti-jackknifing devices are being examined.
§ Mr. GriffithsNot without notice.