HL Deb 06 December 1966 vol 278 cc1035-6

2.45 p.m.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

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 will consider making flaps on the back of mudguards of heavy vehicles obligatory, thus reducing the danger of following cars having their windscreens obscured by thrown-up sludge.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)

My Lords, investigations by the Road Research Laboratory have shown that improved mudguards and mudflaps can reduce spray behind commercial vehicles and lessen the danger of obscuring windscreens of following vehicles. However, much of the spray is thrown up sideways and is then drawn into the area of reduced air pressure immediately behind the vehicles. Mudflaps would not prevent this. Manufacturers are considering improved designs of mudguarding in relation to the design of com- mercial vehicle bodies generally and in the light of progress made we will consider what further action we take.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his encouraging Answer. I hope he will use all the pressure he can on the makers of these heavy vehicles, as I am quite certain that a lot of accidents on the road are due to this blowing up of sludge. It seems a relatively simple way of preventing accidents, and I hope that it will be pressed.

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I am sure that we all agree with the noble Lady. But apparently it is the case that only a small proportion of accidents is directly attributable to mud on the windscreen. The number of accidents where it is a contributory factor is not known. However, having had experience of this myself, I know what the noble Lady refers to and have much sympathy with her point.

LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEU

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in Scandinavia this requirement has been obligatory for many years, not only for heavy vehicles but also for all cars?

LORD CHAMPION

Yes; we are aware of that fact.

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, does the noble Lord not think that, although only 30 per cent. of the mud is kept down by a flap, even this advantage is worth having?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I hope I indicated that that was my view.

LORD ALLERTON

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether any similar research is taking place with regard to the design of mudguards for motor cars?

LORD CHAMPION

Yes, my Lords; some thought is being given to this. We realise that this problem is to some extent, but a very limited extent, also one for the passenger vehicle.