HL Deb 10 February 1970 vol 307 cc809-11
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 any progress has been made with regard to the proper fitting of mudguards on heavy motor vehicles, and whether a great many heavy vehicles at the present moment fail to conform to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations in this respect; and if so why there are no prosecutions.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE. R.A.F. (LORD WINTER-BOTTOM)

My Lords, accident investigations do not show inadequate mudguards to be a significant factor in accidents. As much attention as possible is being given to the problems associated with spray from vehicles, bearing in mind that there are many other features of vehicles the improvements of which have a greater bearing on the saving of lives. The proportion of heavy vehicles not conforming to the current regulations is believed to be small. In 1968 there were 1,534 police prosecutions for mudguard offences, but the number involving heavy vehicles is not separately recorded, nor is it known how many, if any, were related to inadequate design.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that full reply, may I ask whether he is aware that on the Continent of Europe flaps on motor vehicles are the general custom and usage and are most helpful in stopping the nuisance? I cannot see why this cannot be enforced in this country. Also, would it be possible to divide the figures for prosecutions between heavy motor vehicles and lighter ones?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, with regard to the second question, I will see whether this can be done. With regard to the first question, as to the comparison between the Continent and this country, this point is in the mind of my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport, but since we believe that inadequate mudguards are not a cause of many accidents, other features are being looked at first in an attempt to cure other weaknesses in design which we believe are more dangerous than the absence of these flaps.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

My Lords, is the Minister aware that I asked this question 18 months ago, and that it was in the mind of the Minister then? I hope not to have to ask it again in another 18 months' time.

LORD ROYLE

My Lords, will my noble friend ask the Minister to take a tougher line on this question? Is it not a fact that anyone driving a motor car, particularly on the motorways, realises that there is grave danger from the spray of heavy vehicles that are not adequately protected, and is it not time that the Ministry got tougher?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I will bring to the notice of my right honourable friend the views of the noble Baroness and of my noble friend.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Answer he has given is one that has been traditionally given both in this House and in another place? Indeed, I am not at all sure that in the past I have not given it myself. Is the noble Lord aware that there is great substance in this? Would he ask his right honourable friend the Minister to request the Road Research Laboratory to undertake a study into this question and also into the benefits which are achieved on the Continent? Is he further aware that all of us from our personal experience of being sprayed from the vehicle in front with mud and muck are well aware of the value of flaps, and that fitting of mudguards would be a great improvement to road safety?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords I will convey that information to my right honourable friend. However, I should like to make this point. I have asked this question myself, being a fellow sufferer, and I have discovered that if the rear wheels of heavy lorries are too heavily shrouded with valances and weather flaps there is a tendency to overheat on both brakes and tyres, which can lead to other types of accident.

LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that every time this stock answer is given it is really less applicable—because as the network of motorways extends, so does the average speed of much motor traffic, and hence the danger of obscuring the windscreen with spray becomes ever worse.

THE MARQUESS OF ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR

My Lords, may I ask whether any progress is being made in the preparation of the Paper on this subject?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I will see whether I can write to the noble Marquess on that point.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, is not the throwing of mud a habit to which Continentals are far more addicted than our own people?