HL Deb 12 February 1986 vol 471 cc189-90

2.43 p.m.

The Earl of Kinnoull

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consider that motorists using car telephones while driving are exercising proper care.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, not if the telephone is of the kind which has a hand-held receiver. These should be used only when the vehicle is stopped. Even if the telephone is of the hands-free type, the driver should ensure that its use does not in any way impair his concentration on the road.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, while I thank my noble friend for that reply, would he agree that many telephones are used while drivers are in motion? Does he agree that if a driver is travelling at 70 miles an hour during the rush hour on a dark evening on the M25 and makes a contentious call to his wife to say that he may be late, that is quite outside the scope of the Highway Code? Are the Government considering discussing this matter of the Highway Code with the motoring organisations? Can my noble friend also say what is the number of registered telephones in cars and whether this is likely to increase?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I do not know the number that are registered nor whether they have to be registered. Some are entirely portable and do not need to be registered, as I understand it. We shall be holding consultations as to the possibility of amending the Highway Code. This will be done as soon as practicable. As to what is more dangerous at 70 miles an hour—speaking on the telephone, lighting a cigarette, putting out a cigarette or changing the tape on a cassette—

A noble Lord

Or shaving.

The Earl of Caithness

—or shaving, as a noble Lord, from a seated position, rightly points out, I am not in a position to judge.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, while the Government say that they are considering a new issue of the Highway Code, which we welcome, cannot some arrangements be made whereby, when these instruments are supplied, they are accompanied by a warning notice? The original questioner has, I believe, put forward a point of view, with which those of us who have seen people using these instruments agree, regarding a very dangerous practice.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am aware that warning notices are issued. I have one with me which begins: Advice to drivers. If driving, you should first stop the vehicle".

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, does my noble friend have any record of accidents which occurred while the telephone was being used?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, no, because the Home Office does not collect those statistics separately.