HL Deb 28 April 1964 vol 257 cc887-9

2.39 p.m.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any information as to the proportion of motor accidents that occur when either one or more of the vehicles involved have no wing mirrors, and if the number is considerable will the Government consider making the use of these mirrors compulsory.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

No, my Lords. We have no information about the matter my noble friend has raised. My right honourable friend has no plans for the fitting of wing mirrors on all vehicles to be made compulsory; if it were found that their absence was causing accidents I have no doubt he would review the situation. The fitting of external mirrors is already compulsory for goods vehicles, buses and dual-purpose vehicles.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he will keep the matter under observation, because I have made it my business to inquire of a good many drivers, and they say that they feel they are not in complete control of their vehicles if they cannot see what is going on behind and that these wing mirrors do help them very much.

LORD CHESHAM

Yes, my Lords: we like to keep any useful suggestion under observation. But, as the Highway Code says, it is the responsibility of the driver, particularly when driving off, to see that the road behind is clear, whether by the use of external mirrors or internal mirrors, or by looking round, if it is safe for him to do so. As I say, there is no evidence that the absence of such mirrors is leading to accidents, and it is always open to anyone who feels that he would be better off with them to put wing mirrors on his car.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, would the noble Lord use the best propaganda methods he has to discourage motorists from filling the back window of their motor cars with many objects of art, and otherwise, because this obviously prevents the motorist from making the most use of his interior driving mirror?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I could not agree more with the noble Lord. In fact, I seem to remember saying something rather pungent on this point to your Lordships on a previous occasion. I believe it was one of the first things I said to your Lordships some nine years ago.

BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

My Lords, if the noble Lord feels so strongly about it, would he make regulations requiring the back window to be kept clear?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I should like to consider what the noble Lady has said. We have thought about this before, and the making of regulations on the matter is exceedingly difficult. I will, however, bear it in mind.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, if the noble Lord is unable to make regulations, could he see that something is done on television to show the dangers which arise from not being, able to see out from one's interior mirror?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I will certainly look carefully into what the noble Lord has said.

LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETH

My Lords, will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that his Minister likes making regulations; and, therefore, if he gives him the chance of making some more, he is bound to jump at it?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I sometimes think that perhaps we ought to make more regulations about silencers.

LORD SALTOUN

My Lords, in considering this matter, will the noble Lord remember—I am sure he will—that when I am blinded by a car overtaking me at night, I can turn aside the internal mirror, but I am helpless against a wing mirror unless it has some special protection to keep the light out of my eyes?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, we know that dazzle from wing mirrors is one of their disadvantages.

LORD FERRIER

My Lords, is it not an offence to drive with a centre mirror that is obscured, whether by solid articles or by mist on the back light?

LORD CHESHAM

Yes, my Lords.

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether there is any evidence at all, other than the presence of objets d'art, to suggest that an internal mirror is not quite as effective as a wing mirror, and even, possibly, more effective?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, this question has pros and cons. It depends upon the design of the car and the width of the rear windows, which are now commonly becoming very wide. Some of the disadvantages of wing mirrors are that mud and spray get on them. I agree that they are useful, but not, I think, to the point of making their fitting compulsory.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for the attention he has given to this rather important matter.