"Bull Bars" (Hansard, 29 June 1995)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)
My Lords, we are currently carrying out a study of pedestrian accidents involving vehicles fitted with bull bars to assemble evidence on the injuries caused to pedestrians or other road users. That analysis, which should be complete later this year, is needed as a basis for deciding how to take matters forward.

§ The Earl of Kinnoull
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is he aware that bull bars originated in Australia to fend off kangaroos; and, despite the fact that not too many were found on the M.25, the consequence was that they were copied in the late 1980s as an ornamental design? Does he agree that they have proved to be a dangerous, serious menace to pedestrians in particular and especially to children? Is my noble friend further aware that the Government's own research laboratory in 1992 highlighted the dangers; police figures in 1994 disclosed disturbing evidence of serious injuries; the RAC and the AA have been campaigning for over two years to ban bull bars; and even a European transport commissioner not unknown to Members opposite is sympathetic? What further evidence is required before this menace is removed from our roads?

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, we take very seriously indeed the issue of bull bars—"roo" bars, as my noble friend called them, or cow catchers, however one wants to describe them. That is why we commissioned that additional research. The work that my noble friend described in his supplementary question was not based on examination of actual incidents but on predictions developed from testing. I feel that we must have the proper information in front of us before we can make an informed decision on how to act, if at all.

§ Lord Allen of Abbeydale
My Lords, can the noble Viscount say whether we would be able to ban the use of these bars, irrespective of what happens in the rest of Europe?

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, indeed we could ban bull bars in this country under the Construction and Use Regulations; but we should have to allow bars that complied with the European Type Approval Directive.

§ Lord Clinton-Davis
My Lords, can the Minister say why the Government originally asserted that they were constrained from taking prompt action by reason of European legislation, when the commissioner concerned, Commissioner Kinnock, has made it abundantly plain that the Government are free to act when the personal safety of people is involved? Why must we have all this study taking place at the present time, when it is plain that such appendages to vehicles constitute a grave danger to people and to other vehicles? Will he accept that prompt action is required, not all the study that the Government envisage?

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, I am sorry hear that the noble Lord is against informed research to determine whether a problem exists, exactly what it is and how many incidents and accidents can be attributable not just to vehicles fitted with bull bars but to the bull bars themselves making the accident worse. The noble Lord is right. There are options available, both European and domestic. We should like to see action from the Commission on the draft Pedestrian Safety Directive, which would make the fronts of all cars softer and more "pedestrian friendly"—if that is the right expression. This is a better solution which encompasses all the problems facing pedestrians from vehicles with hard edges.

§ Lord Astor of Hever
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that bars fitted after the purchase of a car can interfere with the operation of the car's airbag in that sensors will not detect the crash at the proper time?

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, I am grateful for that information. There is also concern that some bull bars have very hard and sharp edges. They could cut people and injure pedestrians, possibly children, more than vehicles not fitted with them. However, there is a great deal of speculation about the matter. Only when we have the results of the proper research will we know the extent of the problem and what action is appropriate.

§ Lord Clinton-Davis
My Lords, can the Minister confirm that some police authorities have given the department abundant evidence of the dangers that already exist, of accidents that have occurred, of injuries and even some deaths? If the Government want to carry out the research quickly, why does not the Minister ensure that the 21 police authorities which have failed to assist the department are required to do it with some promptitude? This is a matter of great urgency. It is not a question of having detailed research into a problem that already clearly exists and represents a major hazard.

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, the noble Lord contends that bull bars represent a major hazard. The simple fact is that the research is not yet there to support 868 his contention. That is why we commissioned the research. When we have the results, we shall decide on the action to take.

§ Lord Monson
My Lords, is the Minister aware that a number of London delivery vans which are wholly urban, two-wheel drive vehicles, are now being fitted with bull bars for no valid reason? Incidentally, it has the effect of making their drivers drive even more recklessly than hitherto. Is it not time that we followed the example of the Royal Parks, which in the past few days most commendably have banned vehicles fitted with bull bars?

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, I understand that a number of delivery vehicles are fitted as the noble Lord said. I do not believe that that fact on its own is enough to ban those bars or to bring about a decision on what action to take. I believe that I have already fully rehearsed the Government's position. We want to take a fully informed decision.

§ Lord Whaddon
My Lords, does the Minister agree that it would make a lot more sense if the Government were to ban the bars first while the research is being carried out and then allow them if the research shows that they are safe?

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, I am not sure that that is always the best way to go about business, particularly perhaps in view of comments that are sometimes made about legislation which has not been thought out as fully as it might have been. Those are the accusations. We need to have the full facts and figures in front of us before we decide what to do.

§ The Earl of Kinnoull
My Lords, can my noble friend estimate how long the research will take?

§ Viscount Goschen
My Lords, as I said, we expect it to be complete before the year's end.