HC Deb 16 January 1974 vol 867 cc519-20
7. Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons were killed and seriously injured on the roads in the first month after the introduction of a maximum speed limit of 50 mph ; and how these figures compare with the same period in the previous year.

27. Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on how road accident figures have been affected by the imposition of the 50 mph speed limit.

36. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish facts and figures showing the effect on the incidence of road accidents of the fuel shortage and the 50 miles per hour speed limit.

Mr. Peyton

There are indications that there have been fewer accidents since the 50 mph limit was introduced but the amount of traffic has also fallen. When the first accident statistics are available in March I will make a statement.

Mr. Chapman

Recognising that there are other considerations, such as any decrease there may be in the volume of traffic, and weather conditions, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend agrees that it is obvious that the 50 mph limit has saved lives as well as petrol consumption? Does he not think it reasonable that the 50 mph limit should be more rigorously enforced and permanently kept?

Mr. Peyton

Enforcement is a matter not for me but for the police or my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. While undoubtedly, as I said in my answer, there are indications that numbers of accidents and casualties have fallen during this period, that can be because there has been less traffic. I remind my hon. Friend that the 50 mph limit was imposed for fuel reasons. When regulations of this sort are made, it is important that the reasons for making them should be honoured and that there should be no confusion. People have co-operated very well with the 50 mph limit and I should not like to think that advantage would be taken of them to make it permanent.

Mr. Spriggs

Has the right hon. Gentleman been made aware of the serious bunching on motorways because of the 50 mph speed limit? Will he take note that my opinion is that the sooner we return to the 70 mph limit the better?

Mr. Peyton

I entirely accept what the hon. Gentleman said. The 50 mph speed limit is undoubtedly responsible for an increase in bunching, which is in itself undesirable.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that one of the factors in the reduction in the number of accidents is that when a speed limit is imposed and enforced people make much greater use of their rear view mirrors in case there is a police car behind? Is not the use of rear view mirrors a major factor in reducing the number of overtaking accidents?

Mr. Peyton

I entirely accept what my hon. Friend says. I can only commend, as he would wish, the more widespread use of this very effective device.