Road Users: Acts of Violence (Hansard, 17 June 1996)

§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)
My Lords, my officials have held meetings with the ACPO Traffic Committee and are considering with that committee what further measures to deal with the problem might be necessary in addition to those already available under the criminal law.

The Viscount of Falkland
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. However, does the noble Baroness agree that, if the opinion of people from other countries is anything to go by, we still have, overall, a fairly civilised pattern of behaviour on our roads—that is, as regards good manners and the general good usage of our roads—but that a small minority are spoiling it for us all? Is there no way in which the Government, perhaps together with organisations like the AA and the RAC, can stimulate some kind of action or campaign to stop people reacting so quickly and so violently to perceived or actual provocation? It seems that to some extent the rude finger sign and the flashing of headlights have now been overtaken by direct action, with people getting out of their cars and engaging in activities which can lead to unhappy and violent results.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I agree with the noble Viscount in that we have to consider perception. Most of the people who drive on our roads are law-abiding citizens. I also have to say that I do not believe that the term "road rage" is helpful in that it tends to glamorise 5 such activity. In my view it is nothing short of unacceptable violent and criminal behaviour carried out, as the noble Viscount said, by very few people.
As to what is being done and what more can be done, I can tell the House that discussions are being held involving the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Department of Transport, the AA and the RAC, together with insurance companies which can also bring pressure to bear. The Department of Transport has produced guidance for learner drivers which it is hoped will be incorporated in the Highway Code. Indeed, it is also hoped that some of the questions forming part of the driving test will refer to behaviour on the roads. I understand that the AA and the RAC have produced guidance, some in written form, and that there is even a video which is aimed at younger drivers.

§ Baroness Sharples
My Lords, can my noble friend the Minister say whether this is entirely a male problem?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I should like to say yes to my noble friend's question, but I understand that we females are becoming pretty aggressive in our driving, although I hope that we fall a long way short of criminal behaviour. Nevertheless, we are at least on a par with our partners.

§ Baroness Gardner of Parkes
My Lords, can my noble friend say whether she read the reported case last week where someone developed road rage because another motorist was travelling too slowly? Further, can my noble friend bear such a situation in mind and perhaps ask the Department of Transport to instruct drivers who drive slowly to use the slow lane on a motorway? I believe that many people are provoked by other motorists who drive slowly and steadily in the centre lane, thus creating a danger to other traffic and, indeed, the build up of a considerable amount of irritation as regards other drivers.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, my noble friend has made a most important point. Indeed, I expect that that will be part of the guidance which will feature in the Highway Code and form part of the questioning for those taking driving tests.

§ Lord Jenkins of Putney
My Lords, is not the noble Baroness aware that that is no excuse for what is no more nor less than common assault, and that the separation and naming of a particular form of assault is probably not beneficial to the victim? Indeed it is arguable that the separation of rape from common assault has not been beneficial to women.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, the important thing is that the law is adequate to deal with this offence. This is not just a road traffic offence; it is common assault. There is a large number of traffic offences such as speeding, dangerous driving, careless driving, drinking and taking drugs while driving, causing a danger to road users, refusing to give a name or address when stopped, and inconsiderate driving. In addition there is a large number of offences under the criminal law such as attempted murder, manslaughter—all of which we have seen on our roads—murder, common assault, making 6 threats to kill, wounding with intent, malicious wounding and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards a person with intent to cause that person to believe immediate unlawful violence will be used against him or her. I believe it is that side of the law which probably applies to many of the cases we have read about recently.

§ Baroness O'Cathain
My Lords, as regards the guidance that my noble friend says will be incorporated in the Highway Code, is it possible that that could be sent to those of us who have not looked at the Highway Code for 30 years or so since we took our tests?

Noble Lords
Oh!

§ Baroness O'Cathain
My Lords, at least I am honest about it. There is one way of achieving my proposal. Each year we are sent a letter from the licensing authority about taxing our cars. Could not one simple sheet of paper be attached to that to give guidance to those of us not taking a driving test or reading the Highway Code?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I recognise the honesty of my noble friend. I think, as she spoke, there were probably some guilty faces around the Chamber. The Department of Transport has already issued its guidance. The intention is that it should be incorporated in the next edition of the Highway Code. The other suggestion that my noble friend made was a rather good one; namely, that we could all receive guidance when we renew our licences. I shall pass on those comments to my right honourable friend.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, does the Minister accept that I agree with her wish not to glamorise this behaviour by calling it road rage or any other apparently acceptable phrase? Will she use her best endeavours to ensure that certainly Members of Parliament and Ministers do not use the term, and if possible ensure that the press do not use the term because it constitutes a kind of excuse for this behaviour?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, we can exhort people not to use the term. I do not know that I have that much control over Members of Parliament and I have absolutely none at all over the press.

§ Lord McIntosh of Haringey
My Lords, is it not the case that one of the triggers for road rage—this is not an excusable trigger—is the fact that so many motorists insist on giving improper warning signals of what they intend to do and, even worse, invite other people to take action as a result of their signals? Could not the Highway Code be strengthened in its prohibition of unnecessary and damaging signals?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I shall certainly pass on those comments. I understand that all of those points are being taken on board by the group of people who are meeting to determine what can be done next. The noble Lord makes an important point.