HC Deb 23 June 1976 vol 913 cc1582-3
7. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what study he has made of the accident saving which could be achieved by lowering the speed limit of heavy goods vehicles on motorways and dual carriageways to 50 m.p.h.

Dr. Gilbert

The speed of heavy goods vehicles on motorways is limited to 60 m.p.h. and their accident rate per mile travelled on those roads is less than half the rate on other roads. I have no evidence to suggest that there would be significant advantage in limiting their speed still further. On all other roads, including dual carriageways, they are already limited to 40 m.p.h.

Mr. Roberts

I believe that my hon. Friend is right. However, any hon. Member who drives on motorways will find his answer quite incredible. Will he discuss with the police forces methods of ensuring that speed limits come somewhere near being maintained? Does my hon. Friend accept that the relevant statistic is that a higher proportion of these heavy motor vehicles are involved in accidents compared with the ratio of heavy motor vehicles to other vehicles driven on motorways?

Dr. Gilbert

All that I can say is that the accident record of heavy goods vehicles is better than that of most other groups of vehicles, whether they are driven on motorways or on other types of road. I shall examine my hon. Friend's suggestion that I should have discussions with authorities about enforcement. However, my hon. Friend will have observed that the police are being equipped with a series of observation posts every three or four miles on all our main motorways, and I have no doubt that these will have an effect in the direction which my hon. Friend desires.

Mr. Dykes

Widening the question slightly but, I hope, still remaining in order, may I ask the Minister to say whether he is concerned about the absence of flashing signals when drivers change lanes on motorways, especially the drivers of heavy vehicles, who hitherto have had a good reputation in this respect? Are many accidents caused by the failure to give proper flashing signals? My impression is that the frequency with which motorists give signals before changing lanes has declined recently.

Dr. Gilbert

I am not aware that there is any major problem of people failing to give signals when changing lanes on motorways. Certainly it is not reflected in correspondence that I have received. The accident rate for all types of vehicles per mile travelled is much lower on motorways than on any other type of road. Motorways are much the safest roads on which to travel.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

Does my hon. Friend realise that it is no use our passing laws unless effective measures are taken for their enforcement? Is he aware that when I travel on the M1 to my constituency there is always the risk of a by-election in Watford because lorries pass me at more than 60 m.p.h. and cars at about 110 m.p.h., and the police are sadly absent? What can the Government do about it?

Dr. Gilbert

I shall pass on my hon. Friend's comments to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who is responsible, through the police forces, for the enforcement of the law. I take my hon. Friend's point that a certain number of citizens do not obey speed limits. I am afraid that that will always be the case.