§ 74. Captain Ryderasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent evidence available to his Department indicates whether pedestrian crossings have reduced road accidents.
§ Mr. MolsonIn the first 10 months of 1952 total pedestrian casualties fell by over 3,000, or 7 per cent., compared with the same period of 1951, that is, the period before zebra crossings were introduced. This reduction was due to an 8 per cent. reduction in urban areas, where nearly all the crossings are situated, and 2 per cent. in rural areas. In Northern Ireland, where there had been no similar change in pedestrian crossing policy, pedestrian casualties increased by 2 per cent. in the same period. In 1953 there has been a general rise in pedestrian casualties compared with 1952, but the total is still less than before the new Regulations were introduced. Other types of casualties have increased markedly.
§ 76. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make arrangements for earlier publication of the road accident figures.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThere is an interval of about three weeks between the end of any month and the issue of provisional figures for that month; it is not generally possible to reduce this. With the help of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, however, I hope to make special arrangements to expedite the publication of the figures relating to public holidays—Christmas, Easter, Whitsun and August Bank Holiday.