§ Mr. Charles A. Howellasked the Minister of Transport to what extent the Road Research Laboratory has considered the hazard to motor traffic caused during the hours of darkness by motor vehicles showing no lights sideways, when they cross at right angles to oncoming traffic; and if he will consult the manufacturers of motor vehicles with a view to ensuring that front and rear lights give an indication sideways of the vehicle's presence.
§ Mr. MarplesI understand that the Road Research Laboratory had this hazard in mind when considering specifications for the lamps the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1957, and regulations made under it require motor vehicles to be fitted with. At my request the British Standards Institution has recently prepared detailed specifications and the first part of a new British Standard (BS AU 40) issued in December last includes requirements for the light intensities which side and rear lamps must emit through certain angles. Vehicle manufacturers normally fit lamps conforming with British 123W Standards and I am sure they appreciate the importance of the point raised by the hon. Member.