§ 14. Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will state the number of people killed on the roads in the years 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. BottomleyThe number of people killed in road accidents in Great Britain between 1982 and 1984 is as follows: In 1982 5,934; in 1983 5,445; in 1984 5,599. Final statistics for 1985 are not yet available.
In the first nine months of 1985 road accident deaths were 10 per cent. lower than in the first nine months of 1984. If this trend is continued through the fourth quarter of 1985 the number of road accident deaths in 1985 will be the lowest recorded since 1954.
§ Mr. DormandIf that number of people were killed in aircraft crashes each year, would not the Government take more effective action to reduce the slaughter? Will the Minister consider introducing legislation to provide for an automatic prison sentence for those convicted of drunken driving?
Mr. BottomleyThe hon. Gentleman expresses the widespread concern about the appalling slaughter on our roads. It is worth giving a pat on the back to those who have contributed to reductions in the numbers of accidents, 667 especially because of the increase in the use of our roads. We must think of all possible ways of getting through to drivers, especially at local level, the initiatives that can be taken to maintain the downward trend.
§ Mr. ChapmanDoes my hon. Friend's Department keep a record, not only of the number of vehicles using our roads, but of the frequency with which they use our roads? Would it not be a good idea to measure that against the number of road accidents to discover the efficiency of road safety measures and to assess the need for new roads and bypasses, which might bring down the figure further?
Mr. BottomleyYes. Road design might make a significant reduction in the consequences of driver behaviour, but driver behaviour itself makes the greatest contribution to accidents, serious injuries and deaths on the road. We must put out that message, especially at local level, because that is where people misbehave.
§ Mr. SnapeMay we have the equivalent figures for railway passengers killed in the past four years? Does the Minister agree that it would make more sense, and be safer, if the Government encouraged the greater use of public transport, especially railways?
Mr. BottomleyThe figures are available. If the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that everyone should move from the roads to the railways, he will find that the democracy of transport moves in a way different from that which he expects.