§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Transport how many fatal accidents have occurred on the M.1 in the past year; what researches were undertaken to discover the cause of each of them, with a view to preventing similar ones in the future; and with what results.
§ Mr. Tom FraserDuring the 12 months ended 28th February, 1965, there were 30 fatal acidents on the Aldenham-Crick Motorway, M.1—including304W the spurs M.10 and M.45—resulting in the death of 41 persons.
Details of these and other, non-fatal, accidents on M.1 are analysed by the Road Research Laboratory and this has resulted in several measures for the improvement of future motorway design. But driver behaviour and mechanical and other defects in the vehicles are frequently found to be important factors. It is for this reason that, among the actions taken to reduce motorway accidents, the widely distributed leaflet "Motorway Manners" emphasised the importance both of extra care and attention by drivers and of their vehicles being in good condition.