HL Deb 28 March 1972 vol 329 cc937-8
LORD AIREDALE

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 accept that the main cause of multiple collisions on motorways is the inability of drivers to stop within the range of their vision; and whether they can state what percentage of such drivers are prosecuted.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

My Lords, the Answer to the first part of the Question is, Yes. Information is not available in the precise form called for in the second part, but my right honourable friend the Home Secretary understands that the police have proceeded against about a quarter of all drivers involved in multiple collisions on motorways in fog. However, as my right honourable friend the Minister for Transport Industries has said many times, police action is no substitute for self-discipline by drivers themselves.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I am much obliged for that helpful Answer. Is it not time to impress upon drivers that they commit the offence of dangerous driving if they drive at even 10 miles an hour in thick fog if they cannot stop quickly enough to avoid hitting an obstruction in front of them?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords, driving in fog has special hazards, and the speed, therefore, must be low enough so that the appropriate separation dis- tance is no shorter than the length of visibility.

VISCOUNT HANWORTH

My Lords, would the Minister not agree that one of the temptations is to follow the rear lights of a vehicle in front as being the only thing giving reassurance? Would the Minister consider legislation for increasing the power of rear lights?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, a number of proposals are being actively studied by my Department, and this is one of them.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, would the Government consider closing the middle and fast lanes to all heavy motor traffic in times of fog and allowing light traffic to confine itself to the fast lane?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, the segregation of heavy goods vehicles into one lane and other vehicles into another is also being considered.

THE EARL OF LYTTON

My Lords, would the Minister agree that very often it is not viciousness that causes excessive speed, but fear—the fear of being crashed into from behind being greater than the fear of running into somebody in front?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I should not like to commit myself one way or the other on that question.

VISCOUNT HANWORTH

My Lords, does the Minister feel that the prosecution of offenders who may themselves have been seriously injured is necessarily a strong deterrent?

LORD SANDFORD

No, my Lords; I do not think I could make a general pronouncement on that issue either.

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