Traffic Speed (Hansard, 6 February 1995)

§ 4. Mrs. Helen Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what he is doing to reduce the speed of traffic on urban roads.

§ The Secretary of State for Transport (Dr. Brian Mawhinney)
We are taking a wide range of measures to reduce speed-related casualties on urban roads, including speed cameras, major publicity campaigns and funding for local safety schemes.

§ Mrs. Jackson
The Minister will be aware that a reduction of just 1 mph would lead to a major reduction in air pollution in our cities and cut fatalities by 7 per cent. and injuries by 5 per cent. He will also be aware that 92 per cent. of those convicted for speeding offences are men. Does he agree that what is required is a major public education programme directed at motorist aggression and the macho image of the man behind the wheel?

§ Dr. Mawhinney
Or, indeed, of the woman behind the wheel. I share some of the hon. Lady's concerns and know that she has assiduously followed up her worries after a tragic accident in her constituency last year. Speed kills and the statistics of survival, especially for pedestrians struck by moving vehicles, improve considerably as speed drops. For that reason among others, I hope that she will be pleased to know that, in this country, we have 145 different areas with a speed limit of 20 mph.

§ Mr. Mans
My right hon. Friend will be well aware of the huge reduction in pedestrian casualties that has resulted over the past two years from traffic calming measures. Will he ensure that his Department gives the highest possible priority to those by ensuring that local authorities carry out traffic calming measures in both urban and rural areas, because they seem to be the best way to reduce casualties and to improve the environment where people live?

§ Dr. Mawhinney
My hon. Friend makes a good point. I know that he has taken a lot of interest in that subject, having introduced legislation on it. It is worth recording that 85 per cent. of pedestrians will die if they are struck by a vehicle travelling at 40 mph, while only 5 per cent. will die if they are struck by a vehicle travelling at 20 5 mph, so there is a considerable safety issue involved, and traffic calming measures can play an important part. My hon. Friend will welcome the fact that, over the three-year public expenditure survey period, we shall increase the money made available for local safety schemes.

§ Mr. Tyler
Will the Secretary of State acknowledge that the statistics are even worse in the case of one of the most lethal threats on our roads—a heavy lorry travelling at excessive speed in urban areas, particularly if it is overloaded or has not been regularly maintained? Does he acknowledge that the inspection procedures need to be tightened up rather than relaxed? Will he now agree to meet a deputation from the all-party campaign called BRAKES—the campaign for safer lorries?

§ Dr. Mawhinney
I do not want to get into an argument with the hon. Gentleman in which we bandy about figures on the most dangerous form of excessive speed on the roads. Heavy lorries can be extremely dangerous but so can motor cyclists who weave in and out of the traffic in central London. We all recognise the problem and the whole House is coming together to try to find ways to deal with it. I understand that my hon. Friend the Minister responsible for local transport and road safety has already agreed to meet the deputation.